Scientists find in pigeons' livers a possible "biological compass" capable of explaining how birds follow invisible routes through the Earth's magnetic field.

Scientists find in pigeons’ livers a possible “biological compass” capable of explaining how birds follow invisible routes through the Earth’s magnetic field.

Written by Caio Aviz

Published on 03/06/2026 at 09:03

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New German study reveals how particles linked to the immune system can help pigeons and migratory birds find their way during flight

A scientific discovery about pigeon navigation has brought a new explanation for one of the oldest mysteries in animal biology. German researchers have identified that the so-called natural compass of these birds may be linked to the liver, where immune system cells accumulate iron in microscopic structures. The research, published in 2026 in the journal Science, indicates that these particles may participate in magnetoreception, a capability used by animals to perceive the Earth’s magnetic field. This mechanism helps explain how homing pigeons and migratory birds can travel long distances, even when there are few visual references in the environment.

Study points to a link between the liver and magnetic orientation

The investigation analyzed organs known to store iron, such as the liver and spleen, to locate possible structures linked to magnetic perception. The results showed a higher concentration of these particles in the liver, especially in macrophages, cells responsible for eliminating aged red blood cells and body waste. During this process, they accumulate iron and form structures sensitive to magnetic fields. According to Clivia Lisowski, a researcher at the University of Bonn, these nanoparticles would function similarly to a biological compass. When pigeons fly, they align with the Earth’s magnetic field and begin to respond to the planet’s invisible signals.

Scientific illustration of a pigeon highlighting the liver and iron-rich cells, representing the possible biological compass used to detect the Earth's magnetic field during navigation. — The invisible compass that helps pigeons find their way.

Experiments reinforce the hypothesis of iron-rich macrophages

The discovery was tested with pigeons trained to return to the aviary after being released more than 20 kilometers away. Some of the birds underwent procedures that eliminated iron-rich macrophages, while another group remained unchanged. Researchers observed that animals without these cells had more difficulty finding their way back, especially on cloudy days. When the sky was clear, many pigeons managed to orient themselves with the support of other natural references, such as the position of the Sun. This result showed that the navigation of birds does not depend on a single mechanism, but on a combination of environmental information.

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Nerve fibers may carry magnetic signals to the brain

Another relevant point of the study was the identification of iron-rich macrophages near nerve fibers. This proximity suggests that the signals captured by magnetic particles can be transmitted to the brain, allowing birds to process orientation information during flight. The discovery also expands the understanding of the relationship between the immune system and environmental perception, as cells known for their role in the body’s defense may participate in a sensory function. For the authors, this finding opens new research possibilities in immunology, neuroscience, and animal behavior.

Discovery helps explain long-distance movements

The research published in Science may also contribute to understanding how migratory birds, bats, and other animals travel great distances at night or in places with few visual references. The study reinforces that the Earth’s magnetic field can act as a complementary orientation within a more complex natural system. Thus, the discovery represents an important advancement in the attempt to explain how some species find their way using invisible signals from the Earth.
How many other natural mechanisms still remain hidden within animals and await new scientific discoveries?

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Scientists find in pigeons’ livers a possible “biological compass” capable of explaining how birds follow invisible routes through the Earth’s magnetic field.

New German study reveals how particles linked to the immune system can help pigeons and migratory birds find their way during flight

Study points to a link between the liver and magnetic orientation

Experiments reinforce the hypothesis of iron-rich macrophages

Nerve fibers may carry magnetic signals to the brain

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Scientists find in pigeons’ livers a possible “biological compass” capable of explaining how birds follow invisible routes through the Earth’s magnetic field.

New German study reveals how particles linked to the immune system can help pigeons and migratory birds find their way during flight

Study points to a link between the liver and magnetic orientation

Experiments reinforce the hypothesis of iron-rich macrophages

Nerve fibers may carry magnetic signals to the brain

Cat owners are now prohibited from leaving them alone for long periods, and a new rule imposes a mandatory routine of daily care and interaction in Sweden.

Discovery helps explain long-distance movements

A giant printer called the “Ferrari” of concrete has landed in Latin America and can already build a 120-square-meter house in just 48 hours, making the traditional construction site look like something from the last century.

Brazil will harvest a record crop of up to 357 million tons of grains, but it does not have the capacity to store a large part of it. The storage deficit has reached the highest level in history and is equivalent to almost the entire production of Argentina.

Four times faster than the Concorde, capable of taking passengers from New York to London in less than an hour at Mach 5.5, and with an engine that switches from turbojet to ramjet mid-flight at Mach 3.5, the Hermeus Quarterhorse went from paper to its first flight in just 19 months.

Under nearly 2 kilometers of ice in Antarctica, scientists have discovered an ancient landscape sculpted by rivers up to 60 million years ago, the size of Wales, preserved as a time capsule that could help predict the advance of ice towards the ocean.

She started by collecting oyster shells from restaurants and today she has already accumulated more than 10 tons to restore reefs, recover coastal habitats, and demonstrate how a common waste can become a tool for ocean conservation.

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