Researchers used whole-brain activity mapping, tissue clearing, and light microscopy to identify neurons activated by magnetic stimuli in the brain of the pigeon (Columba livia).[1][3] The study demonstrated robust, light-independent, bilateral neuronal activation in the medial vestibular nuclei and caudal mesopalium.[1][2][3] RNA sequencing at the single-cell level in convoluted semicircular canals has revealed specialized type II hair cells that express molecular mechanisms for detecting magnetic stimuli via electromagnetic induction.[1][3] The data support a model in which electromagnetic input from the semicircular canals activates the vestibular-mesopallial circuit in the pigeon brain.[1][3][5] The research comes from the laboratory of David Keays and was published in the journal Science.[2][3][4] These findings shed light on the neural circuit for magnetoreception in the pigeon ear.[1][4]