Going by the gut

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NICK EICHER, HOST: For thousands of years, man has relied on pigeons to carry messages across battlefields, continents, and cities.

And for about a century, scientists have been trying to figure out exactly how they do it.

Now, researchers say they may have found an important clue in the liver. Meaning, that if true, pigeons navigate by the gut.

Scientists found iron-rich immune cells there, right next to nerve fibers. And when those cells were temporarily taken out, the birds had a difficult time finding their way.

The findings do not solve the mystery completely, but still, it's one more reminder that even the most familiar creatures still have surprises for us. 

Who'd have thought the common pigeon comes with a pretty sophisticated built-in GPS? And only now we're beginning to understand it.

It’s The World and Everything in It.

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