GPS is for the Birds

As a plastic surgeon with an inquiring mind, I  have always been fascinated by the superb navigational accuracy of migrating birds over hundreds or even thousands of miles.  


How do they know where to go?  


Researchers have recently done work to discover birds' amazing sense of direction.  It seems as though migrating birds possess up to 53 neurons in their brain stems.  These highly specialized neurons can detect the earth’s magnetic field and act as a compass.  This compass tells the birds the correct direction of flight.  Interesting!