Birds use a combination of different methods to navigate during their migrations. These include:
1. Celestial Navigation: Birds use the position of the sun, moon, and stars to determine their direction and time of day. They have specialized cells in their eyes called "cryptochromes" which can sense the Earth's magnetic field and help them orient themselves.
2. Magnetic Navigation: Birds can sense the Earth's magnetic field and use it as a compass to navigate. They have tiny iron particles in their beaks which help them detect magnetic fields.
3. Visual Landmarks: Birds also use visual landmarks, such as coastlines, mountains, and rivers, to help them navigate.
4. Smell: Some birds, such as homing pigeons, have a keen sense of smell and can use odor cues to navigate.
5. Sound: Birds can also use the sounds of rivers, lakes, and oceans to orient themselves during migration.
By using these techniques, birds are able to navigate over thousands of miles during their annual migrations.