Birds (and bugs?) can see earth's magnetic fields

This is so cool. It's a specific retina ability that I think is fascinating.

Birds can see Earth's magnetic fields, and we finally know how that's possible



The article mentioned evidence of this in fruit flies as well. Which makes me wonder if it's related to what Jacqueline described the bees are aware of as an energy grid in her book The Song of Increase.

Super fascinating Jocelyn.  "European robins have increased Cry4 expression during the migratory season, compared to non-migratory chickens" really is amazing.  There's always so, so much for us to understand.  I wonder if the slight shifts in season magnetic flux is a cue?

Greg Martin wrote:Super fascinating Jocelyn.  "European robins have increased Cry4 expression during the migratory season, compared to non-migratory chickens" really is amazing.  There's always so, so much for us to understand.  I wonder if the slight shifts in season magnetic flux is a cue?

Glad you enjoyed it!

I was trying to find a way to reply or find out about magnetic changes in the seasons, and I am way out of my league.

This Wikipedia page on bird migration included quite a bit about birds using magnetic fields for their migrations. It was more general of course, though it followed a lot of what was in the Science Alert article linked at top.

Then, I tried to find a quick summary of what happens to the Earth's magnetic fields with the seasons, but I only found a vague reference to it in this:

The Earth's Magnetic Field: An Overview by the British Geological Survey which included this image of the earth's magnetic field:

.

Maybe someone else has a better reference for the magnetic changes with the seasons.

USGS Geomagnetism Project  This might be useful to those who want to delve into this subject.

Redhawk