Homing pigeon navigation relies on superparamagnetic macrophages under overcast conditions
In collaboration with the Department of Migration, Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior, Prof. Christian Kurt and Dr. Clivia Lisiowski found evidence that specialized magnetic immune cells (superparamagnetic macrophages) in the liver help homing pigeons sense the Earth's magnetic field. When these cells were removed, pigeons could no longer orient themselves properly under overcast conditions, when they had to rely on magnetic cues. However, their navigation remained normal when the sun was visible, indicating that solar cues are preferred and magnetic sensing serves as an important backup system.
Publication
Clivia Lisowski, Michael Quetting, Daniela Klaus, Lisa Lazarevski, Lea Seep, Maximilian Germer, Jian Li, Inge Müller, Daniel Zuniga, Wolfgang Fiedler, Dina K. N. Dechmann, Kasper Thorup, Jan Hasenauer, Lars Fester, Stefanie Kuerten, Michael Farle, Ulf Wiedwald, Martin Wikelski, Christian Kurts
Homing pigeon navigation relies on superparamagnetic macrophages under overcast conditions
Science 2026:doi.org/10.1126/science.ady2486
