Statement by the University of Oldenburg on research on migratory birds
Statement by the University of Oldenburg on research on migratory birds
Status: November 2018
Subject: Research at the university into the orientation skills of migratory birds and how they find their way across thousands of kilometres
Preliminary remarks
For many years, the University of Oldenburg has made the so-called 3R principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine - avoid, reduce, improve) its guiding principle. Intensive research ensures that more and more alternatives to the use of animals and animal testing can be introduced.
Prof Dr Henrik Mouritsen, an internationally renowned biologist, acts in accordance with these guidelines. His research is helping to significantly improve our understanding of biological sensory systems. The results also make an important contribution to bird conservation. The robins being researched are among the ten most common bird species in Germany. The findings can help to protect endangered and rare migratory bird species (see also "More facts", point 9).
Current research project "QuantumBirds"
In collaboration with the University of Oxford, Prof Mouritsen wants to find out how birds perceive the Earth's magnetic field. Scientists suspect that the animals' magnetic "compass" is located in the eye and is based on quantum chemical effects.
The "QuantumBirds" research project, which was recently approved by the European Union and funded with 8.6 million euros, is an example of the successful implementation of the 3R principle (Replace, Reduce, Refine): Two thirds of the six-year project does not involve killing animals. Instead, the scientists in sub-project 1 are working exclusively with bacterial cell cultures. In sub-project 2, 10 to 20 chickens per year are expected to be killed in the first few years in order to establish a new physiological method. Only at a later stage will it be necessary to kill small numbers of migratory birds (no animal experiments) in order to clarify how the animals perceive magnetic information in the eye and how this is transmitted to the brain. Chemical synthesis and theory are at the centre of sub-project 3. Here too, the scientists are working with cell cultures and, in later years, with non-invasive behavioural experiments in which small numbers of migratory birds are tested.
Additional information on the project can be found in the press release at:
Further facts
In addition to the "QuantumBirds" project, there are other research projects at the University of Oldenburg on the orientation ability of migratory birds. The following applies in principle:
1. any experiment involving a captured bird or its killing is expressly authorised by the competent authorities and complies in all respects with legal requirements. The same applies to the capture and possession of wild birds. The University has all the necessary official authorisations from the Lower Saxony State Agency for Water Management, Coastal Defence and Nature Conservation (NLWKN) and the Lower Saxony State Office for Consumer Protection and Food Safety (LAVES).
2 The studies on robins primarily comprise behavioural observations. It is part of the scientific and ethical principles of our scientists that as few birds as possible are killed for research purposes.
3. the scientists are dependent on wild-caught birds for the studies, as behavioural observations are only possible on animals that have natural migration experience.
4 In 2017, a total of 16 robins were killed professionally and in accordance with animal welfare regulations. Looking at the past five years, the average number was 28 animals per year.
5 Only when statistically verifiable results with small samples can be expected are test series carried out. Scientifically promising experiments were and are deliberately avoided because the number of animals required seemed too high.
6. scientists have invested a lot of time and effort in finding new ways to reduce the number of animal experiments. For example, cell cultures have been developed that produce magnetosensory molecules found in birds.
7 The robin is one of the ten most common bird species in Germany. They are so common that when one bird is caught, another immediately takes over its territory and only then does it have a habitat. Trapping fewer robins for research purposes has no negative impact on the natural population.
8. the number of animals killed is very low for a large, experimentally active working group, even when measured against the high relevance of the scientific findings. For the university, this is in an ethically acceptable proportion.
9) The research makes an important contribution to bird conservation. The findings can help to protect endangered and rare migratory bird species. Three examples:
Example 1: There have been and still are attempts worldwide to relocate migratory birds whose breeding, staging or wintering areas are under threat - usually due to human influences. This includes, for example, the introduction of rats by ship to an island, where the rodents then invade breeding areas. Such relocations are usually extremely difficult, as the migratory birds return to their usual areas. Only when it is fully understood how migratory birds orientate themselves can their navigation systems be "tricked" and such projects lead to success. Our research makes an important contribution to this.
Example 2: In 2014, it was demonstrated that electrosmog has a negative impact on migratory birds by interfering with their orientation. This is an important finding that can make a significant contribution to bird conservation. More information at:
Example 3: The research results provide important findings for the rearing of injured animals and their subsequent release into the wild. More information at: