Lab Notes: How solar eclipses trick birds into singing

Few astronomical wonders are as spectacular as a total solar eclipse, when the Moon fully covers the Sun, plunging us into daytime darkness. 

If we're lucky, we can see this epic phenomenon as it happens — through special glasses, of course. But our preoccupation with looking at the sky means we may not notice what's happening to the animals around us. 

When it comes to birds, many of which rely on the Sun to tell them when to sing a dawn chorus, how does a solar eclipse change how they behave? And what are the wider implications in this artificially lit world? 

 You can binge more episodes of the Lab Notes podcast with science journalist and presenter Belinda Smith on the ABC Listen app (Australia). You'll find episodes on animal behaviour, human health, space exploration and so much more.

Get in touch with us: labnotes@abc.net.au

Featuring:

• Liz Aguilar, PhD student in bird reproductive behaviour at Indiana University Bloomington

More information:

Total solar eclipse triggers dawn behavior in birds: Insights from acoustic recordings and community science

This episode of Lab Notes was produced on the lands of the Wurundjeri and Menang Noongar people.