How do migratory birds navigate across continents?

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!

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Examples

  1. A young bird follows its parents on a long trip from North America to South America.
  2. A bird uses the sun to know which way to fly.
  3. Birds remember landmarks like rivers and mountains.

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