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Pigeons may navigate using magnetic cells in their liver

Ellsworth Toohey
Jun 02, 2026
∙ Paid

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A study in the journal Science argues that homing pigeons may read Earth’s magnetic field using iron-rich cells in their livers, rather than their beaks or eyes. Researchers wiped out those cells in 34 trained birds; under heavy overcast, none could find their way home, while untreated birds all made it back within 70 minut…

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