Magnetoreception
![The homing pigeon can return to its home using its ability to sense the Earth's magnetic field and other cues to orient itself.](/Images/godic/202501/25/Homing_pigeon1141.jpg")
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![Several mammals, including the big brown bat (Eptesicus fuscus) can use magnetic fields for orientation.](/Images/godic/202501/25/Flickr_-_Furryscaly_-_Smile_for_the_Camera1141.jpg")
Magnetoreception (also Magnetoception) is a sense which allows an organism to detect a magnetic field to perceive direction, altitude or location. This sensory modality is used by a range of animals for orientation and navigation, and as a method for animals to develop regional maps. For the purpose of navigation, magnetoreception deals with the detection of the Earth's magnetic field.