Free-ranging Manx shearwaters do not rely on magnetic maps or compasses.

Manx shearwaters can navigate long distances without relying on Earth's magnetic cues, showing no disruption effects during their foraging trips.

• Why it matters: Understanding how animals navigate is crucial for insights into migration and conservation, especially given conflicting evidence about magnetic field reliance in birds.
• What they did: Researchers conducted the largest magnetic disruption experiment on wild Manx shearwaters (Puffinus puffinus), observing their movement during long-distance foraging trips.
• The result: Findings indicate shearwaters do not depend on geomagnetic information for navigation, suggesting some birds use alternative cues and highlighting the need to explore diverse navigational mechanisms.