What navigational method might some birds use during long migrations?

Birds are known to utilize magnetic navigation during their long migrations, allowing them to orient themselves and navigate over vast distances with remarkable accuracy. This method involves the ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field, which acts as a reliable compass for migratory birds. Studies suggest that many birds possess specialized cells containing magnetite or use a protein called cryptochrome in their eyes, which enables them to detect geomagnetic fields.

This form of navigation is particularly beneficial during long migratory flights, where visual landmarks may be absent or obscured by weather conditions. Magnetic navigation allows birds to travel along consistent routes, even when flying at high altitudes or over featureless terrain, ensuring they reach their seasonal destinations.

In contrast, barometric navigation, which involves using changes in atmospheric pressure as cues, is less understood in birds, while seismic and aquatic navigation pertain to entirely different contexts and are not relevant to avian migration patterns. Thus, birds primarily rely on magnetic navigation to successfully guide them during their extensive migrations.