Study Reveals Jet Lag Affects Seabird Navigation
A recent study from Oxford University has found that Manx shearwaters experience navigation issues similar to jet lag when their internal body clocks fall out of sync with local time. This phenomenon can cause the seabirds to stray hundreds of miles off course upon returning from foraging trips across the Atlantic.
The research utilized 20 years of GPS tracking data, revealing that while adult shearwaters could correct their course with minimal deviation, inexperienced birds faced greater challenges. First-time foragers were particularly vulnerable, potentially flying off course by significant distances.
Dr. Patrick Lewin, a behavioral ecologist, noted that the birds rely on the sun for navigation, and discrepancies between their internal clocks and local time can lead to misdirection. The study emphasizes the importance of biological rhythms in animal behavior, highlighting how these rhythms affect navigation and orientation in wild species.
