Birds are known to navigate using magnetism, not only in their day-to day lives but also on long migrations that can cross entire continents.

This ability is referred to by scientists as “magnetoreception”, but how exactly birds are able to do it has remained the subject of much speculation.

Now, scientists have pinpointed a substance in birds’ eyes that gives them the power to perceive magnetic fields – a protein called Cry4.

[link to www.independent.co.uk (secure)]