In 2024, during the total solar eclipse that captivated Massimafans throughout North America, some unusual behavior was observed among the bird population.
Researchers noted an unforeseen change in birdsong patterns during the eclipse Using information gathered from 344 community-operated sensors called Haikuboxes, researchers affiliated with Loggerhead Instruments, Inc., along with experts from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s K. Lisa Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics, were able to utilize these devices to obtain definitive acoustic proof indicating that birds reacted audibly to the astronomical phenomenon.
David Mann, the lead author of the study and a researcher at Loggerhead Instruments, stated, "There has been anecdotal evidence suggesting that birds become quiet or show nocturnal behavior during a total solar eclipse." statement Our research indicates that generally, birds become silent during and immediately following the total phase; however, we also discovered that this reaction is closely tied to the extent of darkness encountered.
This research leverages input from citizen scientists placing audio-monitoring units at various locations throughout the U.S. The use of these tools allows experts to examine animal activity patterns across extensive regions using AI technology, thereby eliminating potential prejudices associated with human-centered observations.
As soon as we initially examined the Haikubox data shortly following the eclipse, we noticed a significant decrease in bird sounds during the height of the total darkness," Mann went on. "However, upon further analysis and excluding locations where human activity might have impacted the birds’ actions, we uncovered a far more intricate narrative.
Mann states that the team noticed varying reactions among birds based on their species and habitat. At a location in New York, for example, Black-capped Chickadees remained quiet throughout the eclipse and only started increasing their vocal activity post-totality. totality At a location in Vermont, American Robins kept singing throughout the total phase in Kentucky, whereas Pine Siskins became entirely quiet during the eclipse in Maine.
“The diversity in how birds reacted and the distinctions between sites was intriguing,” he stated. “It remains unclear why the birds exhibited varied behaviors due to complete darkness during the eclipse. Even though we analyzed elements such as temperature, cloud coverage, and wind velocity, we discovered no substantial correlation with alterations in their calling patterns. This firmly indicates that abrupt total darkness along with related modifications in wind and temperatures likely triggered these noted behavioral changes.”
This piece emphasizes the significant part played by community science and the possibility of studying wildlife without considerably disrupting their normal activities. With tools such as Haikuboxes, researchers are able to collect extensive data sets, gaining valuable insights that might not be accessible via conventional techniques.
Our discoveries can guide upcoming investigations into how light pollution and abrupt shifts in lighting affect bird behaviors," said Mann. "Moreover, this demonstrates that by integrating the strength of citizen science with innovative tech solutions, we can gather remarkable insights about wildlife without disrupting their natural patterns, potentially shaping large-scale studies across continents.
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