SUMMARY: Scientists have known that migrating birds have built-in biological compasses that guide them on their flights--a magnetic sixth sense--but until now there have been two separate theories of where these compasses are located. A study appearing October 29 in Nature appears to have answered that question.Some researchers had thought iron-based receptors in the upper beaks of some migratory birds sense the magnetic field and send the information along a nerve to the brain. Other scientists suggested light-sensing cells in the birds' eyes sense the magnetic field and send the information along a different path to a part of the brain called cluster N.
Study coauthor Henrik Mouritsen of the University of Oldenburg in Germany and colleagues caught 36 migratory European robins (picture from Wikimedia Commons) for testing. By means of surgeries, they deactivated one or the other of the two systems in each bird. What they found was that the birds in which the beak-to-brain nerves were severed still could orientate themselves perfectly while the birds whose cluster N regions were damaged by the scientists could no longer sense and orient to magnetic fields.
Understanding more about how birds navigate and sense the environment might help conservationists to be able to trick birds into staying in safe areas. About the birds' ability to navigate, Mouritsen says, “This is basically the sixth sense of biology, but no one knows how it works. The magnetic sense is by far the least understood sense in the natural world.”
To read the entire article, click on this link to US NEWS.
COMMENT: This story, in my opinion, has at least two questions for people who believe that amazing abilities in animals such as bird navigation can be achieved through natural means.
First, isn't it a bit strange that very intelligent modern scientists can't figure out the magnetic sense of birds, as Mouritsen admitted, but yet supposedly these dumb animals were able to figure it out on their own?
Secondly, if these birds were able to evolve this very useful ability via natural selection, why didn't other creatures exposed to the same environment choose to adopt this talent? Why haven't humans evolved this feature, as it would be very helpful to us and we could dispose of all our manmade compasses?
The most reasonable position to take is that all creatures were designed by a Creator God who gave them the gifts that they need to get along in this world. People don't need built-in compasses because we have the mental ability to navigate by other means.
What we do need is a compass or roadmap that will show us the way to our final destination. This roadmap exists. It is known as the Holy Bible which clearly explains that Jesus Christ is the "way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through" Him. John 14:6 (NIV)
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QUESTION OF THE DAY
What bird launches from a tree branch backwards?The male Resplendent Quetzal (picture from Wikimedia Commons) of Central America has such a long tail it could rip the tail to shreds unless it takes off backwards. The Quetzal is an endangered species and is pictured on the Guatemalan flag.
Source: www.usefultriva.com
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