New research provides insight into birds' homing instinct

New research suggests that birds have a secret weapon that helps their internal compass.
In two studies, one published last week in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface and the other published in January in Current Biology, scientists have identified a special protein in birds' eyes that may help them to "see" the magnetic field of the Earth as they fly.
The protein, called Cry4, is found in the retina, Science News reported, and is part of a class of proteins that helps dictate circadian rhythms, or biological sleep patterns. Most of the proteins in that class fluctuate based on the time of day, allowing them to regulate the amount of rest the birds get. Cry4 is the only protein examined that is present in more or less the same amount no matter what time of day it is.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Cry4 can also react to magnetic fields, thanks to quantum processes that occur on a microscopic level. "Birds use magnetic compasses any time of day or night" to find their way, said biologist Rachel Muheim, a co-author on one of the studies — so the fact that Cry4 doesn't fluctuate based on birds' sleeping habits is a big hint that it is the protein responsible for birds' ability to sense magnetic fields. In European robins specifically, Cry4 is present in even higher concentrations during the migratory season, ZME Science reported.
Despite the promising results of these studies, further research is required before the mystery of birds' homing instincts is solved. Read more about these new discoveries at Science News.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Shivani is the editorial assistant at TheWeek.com and has previously written for StreetEasy and Mic.com. A graduate of the physics and journalism departments at NYU, Shivani currently lives in Brooklyn and spends free time cooking, watching TV, and taking too many selfies.
-
5 hilariously sparse cartoons about further DOGE cuts
Cartoons Artists take on free audits, report cards, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Following the Tea Horse Road in China
The Week Recommends This network of roads and trails served as vital trading routes
By The Week UK Published
-
Crossword: March 30, 2025
The Week's daily crossword
By The Week Staff Published
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
By Abby Wilson Published
-
Israel detains director after West Bank settler clash
speed read The director of Oscar-winning documentary 'No Other Land' was arrested and beaten
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Turkey arrests Istanbul mayor, a top Erdogan rival
Speed Read Protests erupted in Turkey after authorities detained Istanbul Mayor Ekrem Imamoglu
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Israel strikes Gaza, breaking ceasefire
Speed Read 326 Palestinians were killed in the first major attack since Netanyahu's government signed a ceasefire agreement with Hamas
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Houthis vow retaliation amid US airstrikes
Speed Read Trump promises the US will use 'overwhelming lethal force' against the Houthis until they stop attacking Red Sea ships
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Pakistan train hostage standoff ends in bloodshed
Speed Read Pakistan's military stormed a train hijacked by separatist militants, killing 33 attackers and rescuing hundreds of hostages
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published