The Magnetic Positioning System in Pigeons
The Magnetic Positioning System in Pigeons
A recent experiment has provided important support for the theory that
homing pigeons make use of the Earth's magnetic field to determine their
direction.
Since ancient times human beings have used pigeons to carry their
messages to recipients at distant locations. There is evidence, for
example, that pigeons were used for the purpose of transmitting messages
in Baghdad in 1150.
Homing pigeons are capable of traveling very long distances. The
distance record for a pigeon that succeeded in returning home again is
1689 miles (approximately 2719 km).
Up until the present day the question of how the pigeons, known by the
scientific name Columba livia, manage to locate their homes was a
mystery. Among the possible explanations a powerful sense of smell and
the ability to perceive magnetic fields predominated. Following decades
of research, scientists have revealed that pigeons genuinely do possess
the ability to perceive magnetic fields.
Cordula Mora, a biologist at the University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, and her co-workers placed the pigeons in a wooden tunnel. When the
magnetic coils on the exterior of the tunnel were switched on, a
magnetic field that attained its highest level in the center of the
tunnel was formed. Mora trained four pigeons to fly to one side of the
tunnel if the magnetic field inside the tunnel was undisturbed, and to
the other side if the coils were on. The pigeons' ability to detect the
magnetic field was then measured. The pigeons made the correct choice in
55% to 65% of 24 experiments carried out to that end.
Researchers had previously discovered magnetite inside the homing
pigeons' beaks. In order to test whether or not this region was the
center of the bird's magnetic sense, Mora attached small magnets that
would weaken their ability to detect magnetic fields to each bird's
beak. As a result, a significant decrease in magnetic field detection
occurred. The success rate fell to below 50%. However, the birds adapted
to the distortion caused by the magnets, and it was observed that the
success rate rose again parallel to this.
An experimental homing pigeon with a magnet attached to its beak.
However, when non-magnetic materials (made of brass, for example) were
attached to their beaks, magnetic field detection was unaffected. In the
same way, the surgical severing of the olfactory nerves in the birds'
beak region also failed to weaken this ability.
These findings reinforced the theory that pigeons navigate by the
magnetic field surrounding the Earth.
It was known that migrating birds made use of other visual clues, such
as the sun, moon, stars and memorized landmarks. Mora now added the
Earth's magnetic field to these, stating that it contributes to accurate
navigation, and said:
"Every point on Earth has a unique combination of magnetic intensity and
magnetic inclination. This would help the pigeon know where it was in
relation to its goal."
Other researchers also interpret this finding as a major step forward in
understanding pigeons' sensory systems.
On the other hand, this magnetic positioning system illuminated in the
latest study is also compatible with a system based on advanced
technology.
The Global Positioning System
GPS, a sensitive positioning system, is based on advanced technology and
is a product of intelligent design.
An examination of the pigeon's magnetic positioning system immediately
puts one in mind of the Global Positioning System (GPS). GPS is a
satellite monitoring system used in determining the location of any
object. In this system a team of at least 24 satellites is employed. The
use of GPS, designed and controlled by the US Defense Department, is
open to everybody and free of charge. The system consists of three
elements: space, the control and the user. The space element refers to
the GPS satellites. The control element refers to ground stations in
various regions of the world. These stations monitor the satellites'
course, synchronize sensitive timepieces in the satellites, and load
onto the satellites the information they will transmit. The user element
consists of the GPS receiver. A GPS receiver decodes the signals coming
from several satellites and locates the position. This location is
performed using a technique known as trilateration.
Trilateration is a method of determining objects' relative position
using geometry. This calculation, performed with the assistance of the
geometry of circles, requires at least three reference points. The logic
behind these calculations can easily be grasped from the diagram below:
In the diagram to the left, imagine that you are traveling
somewhere between points P1, P2 and P3 and that you wish to know your
exact location. (Ignore the different colored circles at this stage.
Imagine you can only see points P1, P2 and P3.) If you tell a caller "I
am between points P1, P2 and P3" you have not stated your exact
location. However, if you know your distance from these three points it
will be possible for you to give your exact position. The following
stages will be sufficient for this: the calculation of r1 reduces your
possible location to the area of the pink circle. Then, the measurement
of r2 reduces your possible position to one of two points, A and B.
Finally, measurement of r3 firmly establishes that you are at point B.
Your coordinates are thus established. The points referred to as P1, P2
and P3 in this description represent the satellites in the GPS system.
Striking Similarities
Striking similarities in terms of their functioning can be seen between
the GPS system and homing pigeons' magnetic positioning system. Both
contain an environment capable of transmitting data about a position on
the Earth's surface. While data from satellites are transmitted through
the atmosphere in GPS, it is thought that it is the Earth's magnetic
field that performs this function in the pigeon system. Both contain
systems to detect these data (signals) coming from outside; in other
words panels in satellites and cells containing magnetite in the
pigeon's beak. Systems that interpret these data also exist in both. In
GPS, geometrical measurements are performed by computers and other
digital equipment (as in the trilateration technique outlined above),
whereas in pigeons the brain assumes the responsibility for interpreting
the signals forwarded to it by means of sense.
In addition, many airline companies are today installing GPS in their
planes, integrating it with their flight control systems. The fact that
the pigeon cells containing magnetite have been positioned in its beak,
in the same way that an aircraft's electronic flight systems are located
in its nose, is a most significant similarity.
There is absolutely no doubt that the GPS system and all its satellites
and ground control systems have been specially designed. The system is
made up of components planned to serve a specific purpose and
constituting a whole. The many electronic devices in the satellite and
control systems work in harmony together in the light of this objective.
The magnetic positioning system in homing pigeons also bears such
evident signs of design. The cells containing magnetite that permit
interaction with the Earth's magnetic field, the nerves that transmit
the data detected by these cells, and the brain that interprets all
these, work in perfect harmony together. Thanks to this, the bird is
able to determine the exact location of its home thousands of kilometers
away with a totally accurate calculation. This is literally a perfect
ability, because in terms of the thousands of kilometers traveled by the
pigeon, its home is no more than a tiny speck.
Yet how could the system that permits such a superior location
determining ability have come into being? Could coincidences, devoid of
any consciousness, have given rise to the pigeon with its perfect
design, endowed it with perfect physiological systems, installed the
magnetite containing cells in its beak and thus formed a flawless
sensory system? Of course, not.
All the features in the GPS are evidence leaving no doubt that it was
designed by engineers. In a similar way, a system that exhibits the same
design features must also have been designed, in other words created.
There is no doubt that Almighty God, the Lord of the worlds, is the
Creator Who brought the pigeon into being with His infinite might and
knowledge and gave it the systems enabling it to locate a point
thousands of kilometers away with unerring accuracy. God reveals the
following in the Qur'an:
He to Whom the kingdom of the heavens and the earth belongs. He does not
have a son and He has no partner in the Kingdom. He created everything
and determined it most exactly. (Qur'an, 25:2)
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References:
Kathleen Wong, "A Magnetic Attraction to Home,"
http://sciencenow.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/full/2004/1124/3 James
Owen, "Magnetic Beaks Help Birds Navigate, Study Says,"
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/11/1124_041124_magnetic_birdshtml
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