How does a homing pigeon know where to go?
A. Despite all of our modern advances in science, no one can truly say exactly how homing pigeons know where to go. Common theories are: Magnetic navigation: pigeons possess a magnetic substance called magnetite in their brains. It is suspected that pigeons can detect the Earth’s magnetic lines of force to aid in their navigation. This would be similar to using a compass to aid you on a journey. The Japan Times Online published an article (May 12, 2001) on the subject of iron found in the ears of birds. Astronomical navigation: A sailor using a sextant and a watch can regard the position of the sun in relation to the time of day and make a determination of his geographic location. Perhaps pigeons can do the same internally, without the need for a physical sextant or clock. Smell and/or hearing: This theory states that pigeons can hear sounds much too low for people to hear. It is thought that every area has its own unique sound, and the birds have the ability to detect the sounds over
