Research published in Science has found that Manx shearwaters, seabirds known for their long flights over the North Atlantic, experience jet lag similar to humans. This jet lag occurs when they cross multiple time zones, impacting their navigation abilities as they rely on the Sun for orientation. The study's lead author, Patrick Lewin from the University of Oxford, noted that these birds are medium-sized and primarily nest in coastal burrows around the UK and Ireland.
Key facts
- Manx shearwaters can fly hundreds of kilometers daily over the North Atlantic.
- The study shows these birds experience jet lag during long flights.
- Jet lag affects their navigation by skewing their compass.
- Patrick Lewin is the lead author of the study from the University of Oxford.
- Manx shearwaters primarily nest in coastal areas around the UK and Ireland.
A short AI summary in our own words. The reporting belongs to Ars Technica; we don't reproduce it.