behaviour

The most simple answer is "yes". There is certainly a 'learnt' component of behaviour, but much of it must come from genetic influences on brain development and function.We thank identical twins (same DNA) who have been raised apart (different environment) for making this clear to us.Just google "twin studies" and you will see. It is certainly biological. The brain is biological, and it controls behaviour.Now, the problem with a microscope is that brain cells (neurons) transmit electro-chemically (action potentials), which can't be observed visually. You can, however, use electrodes to measure these signals, or use functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to pick up the changes in blood flow associated with brain activity (action potentials require energy, and blood supplies the energy. Brain areas that are more active receive more blood).The other good way to notice the biological nature of behaviour is when a biological effect (brain injury or stroke) causes a behavioural outcome. The most common example, though in my opinion not the best, is that of Phineus Gage.Edited by Doddy, : clarification

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What do you define as instinct?To me, instinct simply refers to those behaviours that are biologically determined, as opposed to learnt behaviours. So, I don't see it as an either-or scenario, but that instinct is a subset of behaviour.

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Let us suprise you again.Many migratory species have magnetite in their ethmoid bones (those are a pair of bones in the skull), that creates a sense of direction. This is how many animals can tell which way is towards the equator, and instinct tells them which way to go as they feel the weather or their own hormones change, so they can migrate for the winter or for the breeding season.Birds (most of which migrate at night) do, as MartinV was saying, use the constellations to navigate, but this is only after they have used their internal compass to work out the direction. After all, you have to be able to navigate when it's cloudy too. So, after spending months flying towards a certain star formation, next year it's pretty easy to recognise that formation again, even without using your compass.They can also use the stars and geographical recognition to recalibrate their magnetic sense, and likewise use the magnetic sense to learn the stars.

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