How Do Genes Allow Migratory Birds To Travel With Such Precision?

Migratory birds can travel thousands of kilometers with great precision. In this video, MIRIAM LIEDVOGEL explores the genetic characteristics that enable this. Focusing on blackcaps because of the different types of migratory behavior that they exhibit, Liedvogel employs geolocator technology to track birds’ movements in their natural habitat. Among other things, the research demonstrates that differing migratory orientation can be linked to variation in the individual genome. Providing insight into behavioral variability and sensory biology the research also helps to explain how populations adapt to changing ecological conditions and can therefore contribute to the optimization of conservation measures.