If you have ever looked up during the spring and fall months, odds are you have probably noticed that familiar v-shaped flock of feathered friends soaring through the sky to their summer or winter destinations. And while it is quite common to see flocks of birds painting the sky, you may begin seeing fewer and fewer due to a recent discovery about birds and the earth’s magnetic field. Observed over a length of many years, the stark decline in the bird population resulting in an unprecedented number of birds flying off course, had scientists searching for answers. Flocks have been recorded in uninhabitable territories they never would normally fly, threatening the very existence of certain species altogether. While a myriad of factors may be contributing to this phenomenon, a correlation between a bird’s flight patterns and the earth’s magnetic field is becoming evident.
Let’s Get an H2 In Here
In a recent study, author and UCLA associate professor of ecology and evolutionary biology, Morgan Tingley suggests, "There's increasing evidence that birds can actually see geomagnetic fields.” Delving further into the science behind this superpower, research supports the presence of magnetoreceptors that allow birds to sense magnetism through their eyes. Interestingly, birds are born with multidisciplinary navigation skills that allow them to switch between depending on their circumstances. For example, when flying through familiar areas, birds utilize geography, but when navigating unfamiliar terrain they may switch to geomagnetism. While geomagnetism has proven to be a highly successful method of navigation, disturbances in the earth’s magnetic field may significantly impact its accuracy. Common outer space occurrences such as solar flares and sunspots have the potential to lead a flock of birds astray, landing them far off course from their intended destination. To put it in perspective, such distortions assimilate to humans following a map where the road signs are turned in the opposite direction. This phenomenon is known in the scientific community as vagrancy. In addition to solar activity, the weather also plays a role in vagrancy patterns across the US.
What Does The Future Of Migration Hold?
It is now widely accepted that solar disturbances impact a bird’s navigation skills, but uncertainties remain surrounding the severity and future consequences of such. A direct result of targeted research efforts, scientists also discovered that the earth’s magnetic field does not just impact birds, but rather has the potential to disrupt the patterns of all migratory species like whales and even fish. Continued research will be critical to identifying the extent of the earth’s magnetic field on migratory species, and what, if anything, can be done to lessen the impact of these harmful disturbances.
Magnetic Forces In Migration And Beyond!
Whether you are researching the migratory efforts of birds or accessorizing your grill for spring, magnetic forces play a vital role in our lives. Check out how magnets can make a difference in your day when you visit our blog. We offer fun, functional DIYs, experiments, and facts that the whole family will love. And remember to stock up on supplies at our website where you will enjoy same-day shipping on all orders placed by 3 PM EST. Contact us with any questions!
