Electromagnetic Noise Found To Affect Bird Navigation

Rambo Tribble (1273454) writes "A 7-year German study has come to a troubling conclusion: the EM noise from human activities is interfering with birds' magnetic 'compass' [paywalled paper, but above-average abstract], and potentially disrupting migratory behavior. While science is unclear how the birds' compasses work, it is theorized it employs the quantum phenomenon of electron spin. As the lead researcher, Prof Henrik Mouritsen, is quoted as saying, 'A very small perturbation of these electron spins would actually prevent the birds from using their magnetic compass.' The BBC has a nice summary article, as well."

Comments

So they still find their way?

[canadiannomad]

So if I read this right, while they are in the presence of electromagnetic fields they can't orient themselves via their internal compass, but the moment they leave that field they regain their orientation. So all they have to do is fly in any direction, and they will eventually get oriented. I'm not sure I see how big a problem this is. It would be unusual for them to experience it in nature, but it seems like something they would naturally recover from.
Are their any studies that tell us that large numbers of migratory birds are flying the wrong direction? (as opposed to saying that they might, if they are constantly in an abnormal electromagnetic field)

Re:So they still find their way?

[mr_mischief]

According to the BBC summary they also orient according to the sun and stars. This disrupts one of three systems. In the US, there's some decent evidence that major landmarks like rivers and lakes are used even by birds that are not water birds, too. It's certainly not a huge problem for most migratory birds. Lack of food sources at their traditional migration times may be much more important.

Re:So they still find their way?

[mr_mischief]

Many birds fly 18 hours straight. Some species longer.

Cornell has some information you may want to read, as do some other sources. Birds fly before sunrise and after sunset, even in complete darkness. Some species fly right through the night during migration.

Adapt or die.

[Anonymous Coward]

Figure it out birds! Or else we'll replace you with lifelike robot birds that don't crap on my car.

Re:Adapt or die.

[cyberchondriac]

This is exactly why they crap on our cars, picnic tables, and heads. It's retaliation, pure and simple. :)

This Study is Not Just Hogwash ...

[pollarda]

We really should take it seriously since it is for the birds...

Maybe once upon a time.

[mmell]

Nowadays, there are over six billion humans living on the planet, and that number is only going up from here. EM radiation? Trust me, that's pretty low on the list of ecological disasters looming ahead for humanity. Terra will keep right on spinning without us; but if we're going to die off from overpopulation you can bet we're going to take as many other higher life forms with us as we can.

So how do we reduce the number of EM wave emitters (number, strength, impact) without causing even more damage to the overall environment?

Re:Is this why they fly into airplanes?

[GameboyRMH]

To their senses, the window looks like a nice pool of water to land in. As do parked cars.

Whoa could this explain why birds specifically poop on cars so much? Maybe they have some kind of instinct to aim their poop at water sources (oddly enough).

I'll have to see how much bird poop my car attracts when I paint it with plasti-dip which should look different.

Re:Is this why they fly into airplanes?

[GameboyRMH]

I don't buy the "glass mistaken for water" theory.

Why would a non-aquatic bird try to land in water? And head-first at full speed, at that?

I think they just don't see the glass and assume it's an open space. Birds avoid glass with a spiderweb pattern that's visible only in UV light.