The curious European robin (Erithacus rubecula) has populations throughout Europe, and some of them move from very cold territories (such as Scandinavia) to warmer areas to spend the winter. The migration of this and other species of birds has always amazed scientists, asking the same question: what mechanism helps them orient themselves? Much research has led to the discovery of proteins present in the retina of the eyes of these birds, which would function as a kind of biological compass; This protein, called cryptochrome 4 (ErCRY4), is a photoreceptor (which reacts to light) and also a magnetoreceptor (which reacts to the magnetic field), and would probably allow robins to make their journey guided by the Earth's magnetic field, being able to see "unseen".
This composition was made for a Scientific Illustration contest for the Jot Down Magazine 2022.
