Homing pigeon navigation relies on superparamagnetic macrophages under overcast conditions

Lisowski C, Quetting M, Klaus D, Lazarevski L, Seep L, Germer M, Li J, Müller I, Zuniga D, Fiedler W, Dechmann DK, Thorup K, Hasenauer J, Fester L, Kuerten S, Farle M, Wiedwald U, Wikelski M, Kurts C (2026)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2026

Journal

Science American Association for the Advancement of Science

Book Volume: 392

Pages Range: 985-991

Journal Issue: 6801

DOI: 10.1126/science.ady2486

Abstract

Birds use a variety of navigational strategies, including the geomagnetic field, especially when other cues are not available, such as under overcast or nocturnal conditions. Magnetite particles in the beak, cryptochromes in the eye, cellular ion-channel alterations, and changes in the vestibular system have been proposed to explain magnetoreception, but the exact mechanisms remain debated. Here, we used physical, morphological, functional, and genomic assays to identify the presence of superparamagnetic macrophages in the liver. We found that after macrophage depletion, pigeons flying under overcast conditions lacked their usual orientation capabilities. Orientation was unimpaired in birds without macrophages when the sun was visible, suggesting that this was their primary cue. We propose that in homing pigeons, superparamagnetic macrophages in the liver are required for finding magnetic direction.

Additional Organisation(s)

Sonderforschungsbereich 1540/1 - Erforschung der Mechanik des Gehirns (EBM): Verständnis, Engineering und Nutzung mechanischer Eigenschaften und Signale in der Entwicklung, Physiologie und Pathologie des zentralen Nervensystems

Involved external institutions

Rheinische Friedrich-Wilhelms-Universität Bonn DE Germany (DE) Universitätsklinikum Bonn DE Germany (DE) Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensbiologie / Max Planck Institute of Animal Behavior DE Germany (DE) Universität Duisburg-Essen (UDE) DE Germany (DE)

How to cite

APA:

Lisowski, C., Quetting, M., Klaus, D., Lazarevski, L., Seep, L., Germer, M.,... Kurts, C. (2026). Homing pigeon navigation relies on superparamagnetic macrophages under overcast conditions. Science, 392(6801), 985-991. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.ady2486

MLA:

Lisowski, Clivia, et al. "Homing pigeon navigation relies on superparamagnetic macrophages under overcast conditions." Science 392.6801 (2026): 985-991.

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