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RACING PIGEONS AUSTRALIA

 

 

 

How do birds read the Earths magnetic field?

Recent scientific studies have discovered a substance situated within the birds eyes, that is sensitive to magnetic fields. When test birds had small magnets attached to their heads so that the brain was within the magnetic field of the magnet, the birds homing ability was reduced to almost nil. Some birds became lost when liberated less than mile from home and had to be retrieved manually. These same birds had homed successfully from distances over 300-400 miles. Clearly the magnetic fields created by the magnets being attached to them shows that magnetism is the affecting force.

In another test, birds were fitted with opaque eye cups. These allowed the bird to see sky or ground shades only. In every case, these birds liberated several miles from home, all homed to their lofts immediately.

 

 

It became obvious that the birds relied on their ability to read the magnetic field of the earth in order to home. Eyesight had very little to do with it.

The knowledge that the bird has a receptor capable of receiving information that allows it to navigate, and that a physical part of the birds eye is sensitive to these magnetic forces, led pigeon fanciers to start looking for a common noticeable feature within the eye itself. These studies are now being pursued by scientific agencies in several countries. One recent finding is that some birds are able to see the stars in daylight.

Over the last 40 years, many pigeon fanciers have taken notice of certain features in a pigeons eyes. These features, usually show themselves as a circle surrounding the pupil of the eye. As a general rule, it appears in a majority of cases that the thicker these signs are, the more reliable the pigeon is in regards to its homing ability.

Is this "Eyesign" the substance in the birds eyes that is sensitive to the Earths magnetic field?

Colour appears to play no part in these theories, yet a pigeon with a certain coloured sign, is more likely to produce progeny with a similar colour & sign. If the parent bird is a great performer..... then one would be inclined to try to breed birds with these eye features. Genetics also play a strong part in the passing on of certain eye features. Performance usually goes hand in hand with this transfer of .Physical characteristics. Any shortcut in being able to access the potential of a pigeon & the probability of success in our sport, is well worth taking note of.

A word of warning to pigeon fanciers........ some unscrupulous fanciers seeking recognition far beyond their abilities, are proclaiming that they know all about this subject. Some are even asking fees in order to dispense advice and so called "knowledge" about "eyesign". No wonder some people regard this subject as "Hocus Pocus". These studies are still in their infancy, be careful.

 

 

 

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