Long-distance flights can interfere with the internal clocks of seabirds
A new study shows that birds that fly long distances may experience a phenomenon similar to human jet lag that causes them to drift off course.
Long-distance flights can disrupt the internal clocks of seabirds, suggests a new study. Just as jet lag affects humans traveling across time zones, such as a trip from London to Tokyo, birds that undertake extensive flights may also experience a similar phenomenon, causing them to veer off course. Researchers studied Manx shearwaters, a type of seabird, and found that crossing the Atlantic at high speed can disrupt their internal clocks, leading to errors in their navigation strategy.
These birds rely on various cues to navigate, including the sun serving as a compass. During migration, a bird flying south sees the sun on its left during sunrise and on its right during sunset. To maintain course, it must continually adjust its heading as the sun moves across the sky.
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