Department of Energy Argonne National Laboratory Office of Science NEWTON's Homepage NEWTON's Homepage
NEWTON, Ask A Scientist!
NEWTON Home Page NEWTON Teachers Visit Our Archives Ask A Question How To Ask A Question Question of the Week Our Expert Scientists Volunteer at NEWTON! Frequently Asked Questions Referencing NEWTON About NEWTON About Ask A Scientist Education At Argonne Bird migration 
Name: Nathan
Location: N/A
Country: N/A
Date: N/A
Question:
How do birds know where they are going when they migrate South, and how do they find their way back?


Replies:
Good question! Like many questions, there are several answers. First, realize that there are lots of different kinds of birds and not all will use the same systems. Many birds use the sun and/or stars as clues to their position. Some birds may be able to use either ultraviolet light or magnetic fields, too, which can also help them. Some birds apparently also recognize and remember particular features, for instance those that return to the same next nest site each year. Now one for you -- How do Monarch butterflies, who have never migrated before, find their way thousands of miles to the same trees that their parents used? Hmmm?

Ethan


Click here to return to the Biology Archives

NEWTON is an electronic community for Science, Math, and Computer Science K-12 Educators, sponsored and operated by Argonne National Laboratory's Educational Programs, Andrew Skipor, Ph.D., Head of Educational Programs.

For assistance with NEWTON contact a System Operator (help@newton.dep.anl.gov), or at Argonne's Educational Programs

NEWTON AND ASK A SCIENTIST
Educational Programs
Building 360
9700 S. Cass Ave.
Argonne, Illinois
60439-4845, USA
Update: June 2012
Weclome To Newton

Argonne National Laboratory