No, birds most definitely do use their sense of the earth's magnetic field to find their way! They also have a sense of smell, and they're equipped to watch the sun and the stars for guidance. They also follow each other and even other groups of birds as they migrate. What they don't do (as far as we know!) is use their tail feathers to navigate.

No, birds most definitely do use the stars and the sun to find their way! They also have an innate sensitivity to the earth's magnetic field, and a sense of smell. They also follow each other and even other groups of birds as they migrate. What they don't do (as far as we know!) is use their tail feathers to navigate.

No, birds most definitely do use their sense of smell to find their way! They also have an innate sensitivity to the earth's magnetic field, and birds are equipped to watch the sun and the stars for guidance. They also follow each other and even other groups of birds as they migrate. What they don't do (as far as we know!) is use their tail feathers to navigate.

That's right. Tail feathers aren't a major part of a bird's migration strategy, not that we know of. But in addition to having an innate sensitivity to the earth's magnetic field and a sense of smell, birds are equipped to watch the sun and the stars for guidance. They also follow each other and even other groups of birds as they migrate.

That's right. Geese simply flap their wings. But birds of other sizes and weights have different flying techniques, like soaring, gliding, and bounding.

The interesting thing about geese is that the V formation they fly in is extremely aerodynamic. And it's a real team effort; they can fly much farther together than they ever could alone. The geese take turns flying in front, where the the most energy is required. When the one in front gets tired, it circles around and takes a position flying in the back of the V to rest on the updraft. If one of the geese gets too tired to continue flying, it drops down to the ground, accompanied by at least one other bird. They rest and then catch up with the flock later.

No, actually geese use a very simple flight technique of just constantly flapping their wings. But birds of other sizes and weights have different flying techniques, like soaring, gliding, and bounding.

The interesting thing about geese is that the V formation they fly in is extremely aerodynamic. And it's a real team effort; they can fly much farther together than they ever could alone. The geese take turns flying in front, where the the most energy is required. When the one in front gets tired, it circles around and takes a position flying in the back of the V to rest on the updraft. If one of the geese gets too tired to continue flying, it drops down to the ground, accompanied by at least one other bird. They rest and then catch up with the flock later.

No, actually geese use a very simple flight technique of just constantly flapping their wings. But birds of other sizes and weights have different flying techniques, like soaring, gliding, and bounding.

The interesting thing about geese is that the V formation they fly in is extremely aerodynamic. And it's a real team effort; they can fly much farther together than they ever could alone. The geese take turns flying in front, where the the most energy is required. When the one in front gets tired, it circles around and takes a position flying in the back of the V to rest on the updraft. If one of the geese gets too tired to continue flying, it drops down to the ground, accompanied by at least one other bird. They rest and then catch up with the flock later.

No, actually geese use a very simple flight technique of just constantly flapping their wings. But birds of other sizes and weights have different flying techniques, like soaring, gliding, and bounding.

The interesting thing about geese is that the V formation they fly in is extremely aerodynamic. And it's a real team effort; they can fly much farther together than they ever could alone. The geese take turns flying in front, where the the most energy is required. When the one in front gets tired, it circles around and takes a position flying in the back of the V to rest on the updraft. If one of the geese gets too tired to continue flying, it drops down to the ground, accompanied by at least one other bird. They rest and then catch up with the flock later.

No, it's a bit shorter than that, but still pretty awesome! The arctic tern travels 20,000 miles per year, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, round trip. Other sea birds make long journeys: The long-tailed jaeger flies 5,000 to 9,000 miles in each direction. Now that's one long trip!

That's right! The arctic tern travels 20,000 miles per year, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, round trip. Other sea birds make long journeys: The long-tailed jaeger flies 5,000 to 9,000 miles in each direction. Now that's one long trip!

No, it's longer than that! The arctic tern travels 20,000 miles per year, from the Arctic to the Antarctic, round trip. Other sea birds make long journeys: The long-tailed jaeger flies 5,000 to 9,000 miles in each direction. Now that's one long trip!

Not even close! Bar-headed geese have been recorded flying across the Himalayas at 29,000 feet. Others above 20,000 feet include the whooper swan, the bar-tailed godwit, and the mallard duck.

They don't fly that high just for kicks or to make the Guinness Book of World Records. They change altitude to find the best wind conditions. To fight a headwind, most birds stay low, where trees and buildings slow the wind. To ride a tailwind, they get up high where the wind is fast!