Migratory birds use special tools to find their way across continents, just like you use a map to get from home to school.
Like a built-in compass
Imagine you have a built-in compass inside your head, that’s what some birds have! They can feel the Earth's magnetic field, kind of like how you can feel when you're walking on a bumpy road. This helps them know which way to go, even if it's cloudy or dark.
Using the sun and stars
Some birds also use the sun during the day, just like you might look at the sky to see if it’s morning or evening. At night, they can follow the stars, like how you might look up at the sky to find your way in a big park.
These tools help them travel thousands of miles, from their summer home to their winter home, without getting lost!
Examples
- A bird uses the sun to know which way to fly.
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See also
- How do migratory birds navigate thousands of miles accurately?
- How Animals Navigate the Open Ocean?
- Why Do Bats Navigate in the Dark?
- How do Birds Navigate? - Sun, Stars?
- Are humans the only species who drink milk as adults?