A new study published in Science has found that Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometres a day over the North Atlantic, jet-lag themselves, and the condition leaves a measurable mark by skewing their compass.
The study, whose lead author is Patrick Lewin, a behavioural and sensory ecologist at the University of Oxford, shows that the birds jet-lag themselves during excursions, skewing their solar compass.
Lewin described the birds as medium-sized, about the size of a pigeon, with white undersides, black tops, and very long wings, closely related to albatross. Manx shearwaters nest in burrows on coastal islands around the North Atlantic, with most breeding around the UK and Ireland and about half of the population in Wales.
The findings add a new dimension to understanding how migratory animals navigate across vast distances, demonstrating that jet lag is not unique to humans and can affect other species travelling quickly across time zones.
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The discovery suggests that jet lag is not unique to humans and may affect other long-distance migratory species.
- It provides insight into the mechanisms of animal navigation and the importance of internal clocks.
- The study highlights how rapid travel across time zones can have measurable physiological effects on wildlife.
Background
Manx shearwaters are seabirds known for their long foraging flights over the North Atlantic. They rely on the position of the Sun for navigation, which makes them vulnerable to disruptions in their internal circadian rhythms when they cross time zones quickly.
What to Watch
- Further research into whether other seabirds or migratory animals show similar jet-lag effects.
- Studies on how shearwaters adjust their internal clocks after returning to their colonies.
Checked
12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 10 supported.
Show each claim
- SupportedManx shearwaters experience jet lag, according to a study.Ars Technica - All content: “A new Science study on Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometers a day over the North Atlantic, shows they jet-lag themselves during their excursions.”
- Partly supportedRacing across time zones skews the birds’ sun-based navigation.Ars Technica - All content: “Flying across several time zones often causes jet lag, a feeling when the body insists it's the middle of the night while the clock says it's lunchtime. Now it turns out this nuisance is not exclusive to humans. A new Science study on Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometers a day over the North Atlantic, shows they jet-lag themselves during their excursions. And because these birds navigate by the Sun, that jet lag leaves a measurable mark—it skews their compass.”
- SupportedA new study on Manx shearwaters was published in Science.Ars Technica - All content: “A new Science study on Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometers a day over the North Atlantic, shows they jet-lag themselves during their excursions.”
- SupportedManx shearwaters can fly hundreds of kilometres a day over the North Atlantic.Ars Technica - All content: “Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometers a day over the North Atlantic”
- SupportedThe study shows the birds jet-lag themselves during excursions.Ars Technica - All content: “A new Science study on Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometers a day over the North Atlantic, shows they jet-lag themselves during their excursions.”
- SupportedThe birds’ jet lag leaves a measurable mark by skewing their solar compass.Ars Technica - All content: “And because these birds navigate by the Sun, that jet lag leaves a measurable mark—it skews their compass.”
- SupportedPatrick Lewin, a behavioural and sensory ecologist at the University of Oxford, is the study’s lead author.Ars Technica - All content: “Patrick Lewin is a behavioral and sensory ecologist at the University of Oxford and lead author of the study.”
- SupportedManx shearwaters nest in burrows on coastal islands around the North Atlantic.Ars Technica - All content: “Manx shearwaters nest in burrows on coastal islands around the North Atlantic.”
- SupportedMost Manx shearwaters breed around the UK and Ireland.Ars Technica - All content: “Most breed around the UK and Ireland, with about half of their population living in Wales.”
- SupportedAbout half of the Manx shearwater population is in Wales.Ars Technica - All content: “Most breed around the UK and Ireland, with about half of their population living in Wales.”
- SupportedThe findings show that jet lag is not unique to humans.Ars Technica - All content: “Now it turns out this nuisance is not exclusive to humans.”
- Not in the sourcesThe findings add a new dimension to understanding how migratory animals navigate across vast distances.Ars Technica - All content: “A new Science study on Manx shearwaters, seabirds that can fly hundreds of kilometers a day over the North Atlantic, shows they jet-lag themselves during their excursions.”