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How Do Birds Find Their Way?

Every year, millions of birds fly very far — sometimes across whole oceans — to find warmer weather and food. Then they fly all the way back home.

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But birds have no maps, no phones, and no GPS. So how do they know which way to go? Let's find out! Tap Next to begin the adventure. 👉

Why Do Birds Travel So Far?

When it gets cold in one place, there are fewer insects, seeds, and berries to eat. So birds fly to a warmer place with lots of food. This long trip is called migration.

Tap each card to reveal the reason. 👇

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Food?
More insects & berries in warm places!
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Warmth?
Warm weather keeps them safe & cosy!
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Babies?
Safe places to lay eggs & raise chicks!
🇸🇬 Did you know? Some birds even visit Singapore! At Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, migratory birds stop to rest and eat on their long journey.

Trick 1: The Sun Compass ☀️

In the daytime, many birds use the Sun to know their direction — just like we can tell it's morning when the Sun rises in the east.

Try it! The bird wants to fly toward the afternoon Sun. Tap the Sun to guide the bird. 🐦

West East 😊 🐦
Tap the Sun to point the way! ☀️
Birds even have a tiny body clock inside them, so they know the Sun moves across the sky during the day. Clever!

Trick 2: The Star Compass ⭐

Some birds fly at night when it's cooler and safer. In the dark, they can't see the Sun — so they read the stars instead!

Connect the stars. Tap the 3 bright stars (the biggest ones) to draw the bird's star-path. ✨

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Find the 3 big bright stars! ✨

Trick 3: Earth's Invisible Magnet 🧲

Here is the most amazing trick. The whole Earth acts like a giant magnet. Many birds can feel this magnet in their bodies — like having a compass built inside their heads!

Spin the compass by tapping the arrows, and stop it so the needle points North (N) to send the bird the right way.

N S E W
Point the needle straight up to N. 🧭

Trick 4: Landmarks & Smells 🏞️👃

Birds also remember the land below — rivers, coastlines, and mountains work like signposts. Some birds even use their sense of smell to find the way!

Which of these could a bird use as a landmark? Tap the ones that help. 👇

Found: 0 / 3

Young birds learn some routes by following their parents and older birds. A little practice makes them expert travellers!

Birds Use Many Tricks Together! 🧠

A clever bird doesn't use just one trick. It mixes them all — Sun by day, stars by night, Earth's magnet all the time, and landmarks below. This is why birds almost never get lost!

Match the trick to the time. Which tool works at night?

Four tools, one very smart little traveller.

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You're a Bird Navigation Expert!

Well done! 👏

Let's remember how birds find their way on their long, amazing journeys:

🇸🇬 Next time you spot a bird resting near a Singapore park or wetland, remember — it might be a tiny traveller who flew thousands of kilometres using the Sun, stars, and Earth's magnet to find the way!

Tap Start again to explore once more. 🌏