New Research Suggests Pigeons Use Liver's Biological System for Navigation

Kathmandu. New research has pointed towards unexpected conclusions regarding the long-term scientific mystery of how pigeons identify their way home. According to the study, these birds may utilize a biological system related to their liver, in addition to celestial cues or landmarks, for navigation.

Animals generally identify direction using various cues such as stars, landscapes, and the Earth's magnetic field. It has been believed that species like birds, fish, and turtles use the Earth's magnetic field as a natural compass, but its actual biological process is still not fully clear.

Pigeons are birds capable of long-distance flights. These birds can cover hundreds of miles in a single day. Historically, humans have even used these birds as messengers, which has further increased interest in their direction-identifying abilities.

A research team led by Martin Wikelski of the Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior in Germany, while studying this mystery and searching for a magnetic cue detection system, has reported finding an unexpected biological signal in the liver. According to the study, special immune cells in the liver may play a role related to magnetic sensitivity in the process of breaking down red blood cells and storing iron.

According to Christiane Kutsch of the University of Bonn, when these immune cells were temporarily deactivated, pigeons appeared to lose their ability to identify their route. Researchers conclude that this strongly suggests that the iron-related system in the liver may play a role in navigation.

Researchers stated that the birds' magnetic compass is particularly affected only in cloudy conditions. They also use the sun as an alternative direction-identifying cue.

Scientists have long speculated that immune cells might be involved in the magnetic sensing process, but this study, published in the journal Science, is said to present the first concrete structural evidence towards it.

Albert Kao, a behavioral ecologist at the University of Massachusetts Boston, USA, commented that the research is surprising but meaningful. According to co-author Klivia Lisowski from the University of Bonn, these immune cells in the liver are located near nerve fibers, suggesting a possibility that they transmit magnetic signals to the brain, which may contribute to the pigeon's navigation system.

Researchers have pointed out the possibility of a similar magnetic system in other animals like mice. However, external experts emphasize that more evidence is still needed and research on how pigeons interpret magnetic signals in their brains should continue.

Although the study found the strongest signal in the liver, it is mentioned that similar immune cells have also been found in the beak area of birds and other organs related to the bird's immune system.

Experts suggest that there may not be a single theory for magnetic navigation, and birds may use different mechanisms depending on the situation.