A proposed ‘quantum compass’ for songbirds just got more plausible

A protein in European robins’ retinas showed sensitivity to magnetic fields

European robin on a branch

A protein found within the eyes of European robins (one shown) could help the birds tell north from south on their migrations. That protein responds to magnetic fields in laboratory experiments, researchers report.

© Francis C. Franklin / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Scientists could be a step closer to understanding how some birds might exploit quantum physics to navigate.