May 2021 PMID 34093230

The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome.

Roswitha Wiltschko, Christine Nießner, Wolfgang Wiltschko

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Mentions

21
Peak: 8 in Nov 2025
across 4 sources since May 2021

Extended reach

153,147
potential audience

Total likes

50

Video views

276

Mentions per month

May 2021 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter15 posts
  • News3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos
  • Blogs1 articles

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The social discussions demonstrate strong interest and moderate engagement, with examples like references to Wilhelmsto and Wiltschko’s work, comments on the quantum compass helping birds 'see' magnetic fields, and mentioning the longstanding research by the renowned Wiltschko team. The tone combines scientific acknowledgment with curiosity about broader implications.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions support or acknowledge the significance of the research, especially emphasizing the contributions of the Wiltschko team and the importance of cryptochrome mechanisms.

InterestHigh interest

The social discussions show high interest, with mentions of groundbreaking studies and the potential for new insights into bird navigation, indicating curiosity and enthusiasm.

EngagementModerate engagement

Participants reference specific research papers, highlight key scientists, and discuss biological mechanisms, reflecting a moderate but meaningful level of engagement.

ImpactModerate impact

The debates suggest that the research is viewed as impactful within the scientific community, with some posts implying this could influence understanding of animal navigation and sensory biology.

Abstract in brief

  • The avian magnetic compass is an inclination compass that detects the direction of the Earth's magnetic field based on the angle of the magnetic field lines, not their polarity, and it works best under short-wavelength light.
  • This magnetic sensing mechanism relies on radical pair processes in the retina, particularly involving cryptochrome molecules, with cryptochrome 1a (Cry1a) being the most likely receptor due to its location in ultraviolet cones.
  • Cryptochromes undergo a photocycle involving radical pair formation during light absorption, which is crucial for birds to detect magnetic directions and navigate effectively using the Earth's magnetic field.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
ツイ鳥「ジョージ=コクム」(森に入ったのですが怪物もおらず、ツイ鳥だけがいました。赤字貿易経営者!
@_596_ · X

引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology, 2021.5. https://t.co/kcNZXH1EfX Frontiers “Quantum compass might help birds ‘see’ magnetic fields” – Nature, 2021.6.23.

Nov 19, 2025 · 38 likes · 7 shares · 128,697 followers View post →
Klaus Riede
@KlausRiede · X

@peakaustria vielleicht sollte man noch das deutsche #forscher Ehepar Wiltschko erwähnen die seit Jahrzehnten am magnetischen Kompass im Vogelauge forschen und bahnbrechende Arbeiten veröffentlicht haben https://t.co/L9euvEGLAt

May 26, 2025 · 3 likes · 4,577 followers View post →
Frontiers - Physiology
@FrontPhysiol · X

New Research: The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome https://t.co/Q42xZRom0y #Physiology

May 19, 2021 · 1 like · 8,640 followers View post →
Ikarus
@DemeterIkarus · X

@conspiracyb0t https://t.co/MRiPkVvcKn here's a scientific article explaining that bio-mechanism

Feb 12, 2022 · 1 like · 26 followers View post →
Raghav Agrawal
@impactology · X

The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome by Roswitha Wiltschko, Christine Nießner, and Wolfgang Wiltschko https://t.co/EIKxqufp4c h/t @guncelawits for sharing https://t.co/VDtqFYA5bZ

Feb 19, 2024 · 3,463 followers View post →
めきは@携帯獣研究開発機構システム開発部ポケジニア
@kyoswin7 · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 1,567 followers View post →

All mentions

ぐっきー佐藤
@guckyguck · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 20, 2025 · 7 shares · 135 followers View post →
唯さん
@yui_san · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 317 followers View post →
金原 達
@Satoru0313 · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 801 followers View post →
めきは@携帯獣研究開発機構システム開発部ポケジニア
@kyoswin7 · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 1,567 followers View post →
野良
@gXSPyQ6OFOG6iWm · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 363 followers View post →
Yamanami
@yamanamitakeshi · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 922 followers View post →
⛸ゆず蜜柑_羽ばたけ第2章❄️
@LoveYuzu · X

RT @_596_: 引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology,…

Nov 19, 2025 · 7 shares · 418 followers View post →
ツイ鳥「ジョージ=コクム」(森に入ったのですが怪物もおらず、ツイ鳥だけがいました。赤字貿易経営者!
@_596_ · X

引用元資料はこちら。 引用元: Wiltschko R., Wiltschko W. 「The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome」 Frontiers in Physiology, 2021.5. https://t.co/kcNZXH1EfX Frontiers “Quantum compass might help birds ‘see’ magnetic fields” – Nature, 2021.6.23.

Nov 19, 2025 · 38 likes · 7 shares · 128,697 followers View post →
Klaus Riede
@KlausRiede · X

@peakaustria vielleicht sollte man noch das deutsche #forscher Ehepar Wiltschko erwähnen die seit Jahrzehnten am magnetischen Kompass im Vogelauge forschen und bahnbrechende Arbeiten veröffentlicht haben https://t.co/L9euvEGLAt

May 26, 2025 · 3 likes · 4,577 followers View post →
cdeadheadc
@cdeadheadc · X

@BrettGrose @StuartHameroff

Nov 4, 2024 · 1,299 followers View post →
45th Rangers Andrews Avengers
@45thRangers · X

@TalpiusSculprio @sergioa94679493 The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome https://t.co/3Fok5RY3Qb

Jul 11, 2024 · 325 followers View post →
Raghav Agrawal
@impactology · X

The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome by Roswitha Wiltschko, Christine Nießner, and Wolfgang Wiltschko https://t.co/EIKxqufp4c h/t @guncelawits for sharing https://t.co/VDtqFYA5bZ

Feb 19, 2024 · 3,463 followers View post →
Ikarus
@DemeterIkarus · X

@conspiracyb0t https://t.co/MRiPkVvcKn here's a scientific article explaining that bio-mechanism

Feb 12, 2022 · 1 like · 26 followers View post →
Dr Elina Mäntylä
@elinamantyla · X

Wiltschko et al. The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome https://t.co/OlDTHhjjlH #ornithology

Jun 11, 2021 · 1,169 followers View post →
Frontiers - Physiology
@FrontPhysiol · X

New Research: The Magnetic Compass of Birds: The Role of Cryptochrome https://t.co/Q42xZRom0y #Physiology

May 19, 2021 · 1 like · 8,640 followers View post →
Cronobiologia-Biologia Cauntica | PDF | Clock | Photosynthesis
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