11 Animals With Mind-Blowing Navigation Skills We Barely Understand
2. Homing Pigeons: The Avian Navigators

Homing pigeons have long been celebrated for their uncanny ability to find their way home over vast distances. This skill has been harnessed by humans for centuries, from ancient message delivery systems to modern racing competitions. The secret to their navigational prowess lies in a combination of environmental cues and an internal map. Pigeons are known to use the Earth's magnetic field as a guide, a skill that is complemented by their ability to recognize landmarks from high altitudes. Additionally, they possess a remarkable sense of smell, which aids in their orientation and route correction. The study of homing pigeons has provided valuable insights into the neural mechanisms of navigation, offering a glimpse into the sophisticated systems that underpin avian navigation.