Pigeons navigate using a built-in magnetic compass and can hear low-frequency sounds from hundreds of miles away.

Homing pigeons possess a sophisticated multi-sensory navigation system that allows them to return to their lofts with incredible precision. Research conducted by scientists at the University of Oldenburg and other institutions has identified cryptochromes in the bird's eyes. These are light-sensitive proteins that may allow pigeons to actually see the Earth's magnetic field as a visual overlay.In addition to visual cues, pigeons utilize iron-rich clusters found in the skin of the upper beak. While once thought to be in the beak bone, recent studies suggest these clusters are part of the sensory dendrites of the trigeminal nerve. This system acts as a biological magnetometer, providing the bird with information about its geographic position relative to the magnetic poles.A 2013 study by USGS geophysicist Jonathan Hagstrum suggests that pigeons also rely on infrasound. These are extremely low-frequency sound waves, below 0.1 Hertz, generated by deep-earth movements or ocean waves. Because these waves travel vast distances without dissipating, pigeons use them to create an acoustic map of their surroundings.This 'map and compass' model is further supplemented by olfactory cues and solar navigation. By tracking the sun's arc across the sky using their internal circadian clock, pigeons maintain a steady heading even in unfamiliar territory. This redundant system of biological sensors makes them one of the most capable navigators in the animal kingdom.