biostudies-literatureKarwinkel TInstitute of Avian Research: Institut fur Vogelforschung Vogelwarte HelgolandDeutsche ForschungsgemeinschaftBundesamt fur Naturschutzjeb244473https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9604362biostudies-literatureUnknown225(19)Current evidence suggests that migratory animals extract map information from the geomagnetic field for true navigation. The sensory basis underlying this feat is elusive, but presumably involves magnetic particles. A common experimental manipulation procedure consists of pre-treating animals with a magnetic pulse, with the aim of re-magnetising particles to alter the internal representation of the external field prior to a navigation task. Although pulsing provoked deflected bearings in caged songbirds, analogous studies with free-flying songbirds yielded inconsistent results. Here, we pulsed European robins (Erithacus rubecula) at an offshore stopover site during spring migration and monitored their free-flight behaviour with a regional-scale network of radio-receiving stations. We foundThe Journal of experimental biologyA magnetic pulse does not affect free-flight navigation behaviour of a medium-distance songbird migrant in spring.PMC9604362395940726351986140A351582210ASCHM 2647/7-1SCHM 2647/3–1SCHM 2647/4-1Schmaljohann HJanner LEKarwinkel TBrust VHuppop OBairlein FWinklhofer MfalseA magnetic pulse does not affect free-flight navigation behaviour of a medium-distance songbird migrant in spring.Current evidence suggests that migratory animals extract map information from the geomagnetic field for true navigation. The sensory basis underlying this feat is elusive, but presumably involves magnetic particles. A common experimental manipulation procedure consists of pre-treating animals with a magnetic pulse, with the aim of re-magnetising particles to alter the internal representation of the external field prior to a navigation task. Although pulsing provoked deflected bearings in caged songbirds, analogous studies with free-flying songbirds yielded inconsistent results. Here, we pulsed European robins (Erithacus rubecula) at an offshore stopover site during spring migration and monitored their free-flight behaviour with a regional-scale network of radio-receiving stations. We found2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Oct2026-05-03T10:38:56.004Z2025-04-05T11:57:19.578ZS-EPMC96043623611152610.1242/jeb.244473