How do anseriform birds navigate migrations over thousands of kilometres?

Anseriform birds, such as ducks and geese, navigate long-distance migrations using a combination of celestial and environmental cues. While specific research on the order Anseriformes is often integrated into broader studies of avian migration, these birds utilize several sophisticated mechanisms to maintain their course over thousands of kilometres.12

Navigational Mechanisms

• Celestial Orientation: Migrating birds use the Sun as a compass during the day, compensating for its movement using an internal clock. Nocturnal migrants rely on the patterns of the stars to determine their bearings.13
• Magnetic Sensitivity: It is widely understood that many migratory birds possess a sensitivity to the intensity and direction of the Earth’s magnetic field, which acts as a global navigational aid.14
• Environmental Cues: During flight, birds adjust their direction based on meteorological conditions, such as wind force and direction. They also follow broad airways shaped by geographical features like coastlines and river systems.25

Social and Energy Efficiency

Anseriform birds are often gregarious during migration. A characteristic behavior of geese and ducks is flying in a "V" formation, which helps the flock maintain cohesion and allows individuals to save energy by flying in the wake of others.2