Scientists in China say they have succeeded in controlling the flight of pigeons with micro electrodes planted in their brains, state media reports.

Scientists at the Robot Engineering Technology Research Centre at Shandong University of Science and Technology said their electrodes could command the pigeons to fly right or left, up or down, Xinhua news agency said.

"The implants stimulate different areas of the pigeon's brain according to signals sent by the scientists via computer and force the bird to comply with their commands," Xinhua said.