The mechanism of the avian magnetic compass

Brief info

model species

Garden warbler
Sylvia borin

Pied flycatcher
Ficedula hypoleuca

Project PI

OMF projects:
Dr Nikita Chernetsov,
Dr Julia Bojarinova,
DR Kirill Kavokin

Light projects:
Dr Alexander Pakhomov

Collaborators

Background and Knowledge gap

Migratory birds are known to obtain information from the geomagnetic field to perform orientation and navigation tasks. While the physiological mechanisms underlying the magnetic sense remain uncertain, it is widely accepted that birds rely on two distinct magnetoreception systems: a chemical magnetoreceptor located in their eyes and a magnetite-based receptor, likely situated in the upper beak. The chemical magnetoreception system is thought to function as a magnetic compass for orientation tasks, while the iron-based magnetoreceptor may contribute to the magnetic map used in navigation. The most well-developed and widely discussed hypothesis suggests that the magnetic sense is based on spin-dependent photochemical reactions (the Radical Pair Mechanism). According to this theory, oscillating magnetic fields (OMFs) can destroy the ability to orient using the magnetic compass.

Our plans

In this project, we study how 1) oscillating magnetic fields (OMFs) with varying frequencies and amplitudes and 2) the spectral composition and intensity of light influence the magnetic orientation of birds in behavioural experiments, aiming to uncover the mechanisms underlying avian magnetic orientation.

Our discoveries

Our experimental setups

Key papers (click to expand):

Romanova N, Utvenko G, Prokshina A, Cellarius F Fedorishcheva A, Pakhomov A, 2023. Migratory birds are able to choose the appropriate migratory direction under dim yellow narrowband light // Proc. R. Soc. B .290: 20232499 doi: 10.1098/rspb.2023.2499

Bojarinova J., Kavokin K., Cherbunin R., Sannikov D., Fedorishcheva A., Pakhomov A., Chernetsov N, 2023. Sensitivity threshold of avian magnetic compass to oscillating magnetic field is species-specific // Behavioral Ecology and Sociobiology 77, 6. doi: 10.1007/s00265-022-03282-7

Bojarinova J., Kavokin K., Cherbunin R., Sannikov D., Fedorishcheva A., Pakhomov A., Chernetsov N, 2023. Oscillating magnetic field does not disrupt orientation in the presence of stellar cues in an avian migrant // Journal of Ornithology, first online. doi: doi.org/10.1007/s10336-023-02129-w

Bojarinova J., Kavokin K., Pakhomov A., Cherbunin R., Anashina A., Erokhina M., Ershova M., Chernetsov N., 2020. Magnetic compass of garden warblers is not affected by oscillating magnetic fields applied to their eyes // Scientific Reports 10: 3473. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-60383-x

Pakhomov A, Bojarinova J, Cherbunin R, Chetverikova R, Grigoryev PS, Kavokin K, Kobylkov D, Lubkovskaja R, Chernetsov N., 2017. Very weak oscillating magnetic field disrupts the magnetic compass of songbird migrants // Journal of Royal Society Interface, 14 (133): 20170364. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2017.0364

Kavokin K., Chernetsov N., Pakhomov A., Bojarinova J., Kobylkov D., Namozov B., 2014. Magnetic orientation of garden warblers (Sylvia borin) under 1.4 MHz radiofrequency magnetic field // Journal of Royal Society Interface, 11 (97): 20140451. doi: 10.1098/rsif.2014.0451

Funding:

Type: Research Grant
Funder: Russian Science Foundation
Date: 2024 – 2026
Project: Magnetic compass and magnetic map in birds and amphibians.
PI: Nikita Chernetsov
Total fund: 77000€/year
Type: Research Grant
Funder: Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Date: 2019 – 2020
Project: Light-dependent magnetoreception in songbird migrants: true or false?
PI: Alexander Pakhomov
Total fund: 48000 €/3 years
Type: Research Grant
Funder: Russian Science Foundation
Date: 2016 – 2020
Project: A mechanism of magnetic compass in migratory birds.
PI: Nikita Chernetsov
Total fund: 86000€/year
Type: Research Grant
Funder: Russian Foundation for Basic Research
Date: 2015 – 2017
Project: Impact of oscillating magnetic fields of different frequency on orientation behaviour in passerines
PI: Nikita Chernetsov
Total fund: 10000€/year
Type: Research Grant
Funder: Scientific program of SPbSC RAS
Date: 2014
Project: A mechanism of magnetic compass in migratory birds.
PI: Nikita Chernetsov
Total fund: 3000€

Key oral talks and presentations:

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