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蓝箭头指示喂食鸽房的方向，红箭头指示鸽房方向，白点为放飞地点。黄色表示饥饿鸽子的飞行路线，黑色表示喂过食鸽子的飞行路线。 The mystery of how a pigeon can always find its way back home has finally been solved. Scientists believe that pigeons have a spatial map that allows them to fly in an unfamiliar territory and know exactly where they are going. The finding replaces the current theory that pigeons compare the coordinates of their location with those of the home loft and then systematically reduce the difference between the two to find their way home. This earlier theory likens the navigation of pigeons to that of flying robots. But experiments carried out at the University of Zurich have shown that pigeons possess cognitive capabilities. In unknown areas, the scientists claim pigeons recognise where they are in relation to their home loft and are able to choose their targets themselves. Homing pigeons and migratory birds determine their flight direction with the help of the Earth’s magnetic field, the stars and the position of the sun. Nicole Blaser, a doctoral student in biology at the University of Zurich proposed the theory that pigeons have a spatial understanding and knowledge of their position in space relative to their home loft. This theory presupposes a type of mental map in their brain and thus cognitive capabilities. Up until now, there has not been any clear evidence to support this. | 
