HEADSCRATCHERS

Hi, I'm Pete, and I love science and the natural world. I work with the Royal Institution (Ri) in London, where you can find exciting, hands-on science events for young people.

- Peter Gallivan

We've teamed up with The Week Junior Science+Nature to answer your burning science questions.

How do migratory birds know where to go when they migrate?
Joseph

Birds' yearly migrations are the greatest journeys taken by any animals, with the longest being the epic 56,000-mile flight of Arctic terns. Bar-tailed godwits fly 8,425 miles over 11 days non-stop without ever landing. These long-distance experts have a range of different techniques to stop them from getting lost.

The simplest approach is to fly together in a group. Flocks of geese fly in a V formation, taking it in turns to be the leader and navigate.

The other geese tuck in behind the front bird, conserving energy ready for their turn to lead.