News Animals

Everyday electronics may upset birds’ compass

Weak electromagnetic waves interfere with European robins’ migratory orientation

IFFY COMPASS  The European robin, a different species from what North Americans call a robin, can mysteriously lose its compass sense when exposed to an urban background of weak electromagnetic noise.

H. Mouritsen

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

A background buzz of electromagnetic waves from such ordinary sources as electronic equipment can interfere with a bird’s magnetic compass, according to a particularly careful set of experiments.