{
  "id": 9309794,
  "title": "Pigeons' proposed inner-ear compass runs into a noise problem",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/23/pigeons-proposed-inner-ear-compass-runs-into-a-noise-problem",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-09-23T10:00:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-09-pigeons-ear-compass-noise-problem.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A proposed explanation for pigeons' magnetic sense hinges on a tiny electrical generator in their ears. When a pigeon turns its head, the Earth's magnetic field would theoretically generate minuscule electrical signals inside its ears. However, a study suggests this generator may not be fast enough to function as a compass, due to the electrical noise produced within the sensor itself. This noise, generated by thermal movement of electrical charges, drowns out the magnetic signal, limiting the information rate to about 0.15 bits per second. This is far below the rate needed for rapid compass use, which would require more than 560 bits per second. Despite this, magnetic stimulation still activates brain regions linked to the inner ear, a phenomenon that this particular induction mechanism cannot explain.",
  "summary": "A pigeon turning its head might seem an unlikely electricity generator. Yet one proposed explanation for the bird's magnetic sense depends on exactly that: Turning through Earth's magnetic field would produce tiny electrical signals inside its ears. However, a theoretical study suggests that this miniature generator cannot supply directional information fast enough to work as a compass. The…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}