# Manx Shearwaters Experience Jet Lag During Long-Distance Ocean Flights New research reveals that seabirds navigating by the sun suffer from internal clock disruption. - **Source:** [Science - Ars Technica](https://arstechnica.com) - **Published:** 2026-10-31 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/d1cd7eda-c5ae-4fa4-8209-88f8708833a3 ## Biological Clock Disruption Jet lag is typically associated with human travel across time zones, but recent research confirms it affects wildlife. Manx shearwaters, seabirds capable of flying hundreds of kilometers daily over the North Atlantic, experience similar physiological misalignment. This internal conflict occurs when their biological rhythms fail to synchronize with the local time of their destination. ## Impact on Avian Navigation These birds rely heavily on the sun to navigate across vast oceanic stretches. Because their internal clocks dictate their perception of time, jet lag directly interferes with their solar compass. This sensory mismatch creates measurable errors in their flight paths, demonstrating that circadian rhythm disruption has tangible consequences for their migratory accuracy and survival. ## Study Lead and Methodology Patrick Lewin, a behavioral and sensory ecologist at the University of Oxford, led the investigation into these avian patterns. By observing the flight behaviors of Manx shearwaters, the team identified how these birds manage their long-distance journeys. The study provides critical insights into the sensory mechanisms that guide seabirds across the open ocean. ## Physical Characteristics and Species Manx shearwaters are medium-sized birds, roughly comparable to a pigeon in physical dimensions. They feature a distinct appearance with white underbellies and black topsides, supported by exceptionally long wings. These anatomical features are essential for their endurance, as they are closely related to the albatross, a species renowned for its long-distance flight capabilities. ## Geographic Breeding Patterns These seabirds primarily nest in burrows located on coastal islands throughout the North Atlantic region. The majority of the population breeds in areas surrounding the United Kingdom and Ireland. Notably, approximately half of the entire global population resides in Wales, making these coastal regions vital hubs for their reproductive cycles and seasonal activities. ## Mechanism of Solar Orientation The reliance on the sun for orientation requires a precise internal clock to account for the sun's movement across the sky. When a bird travels rapidly across multiple time zones, its internal clock remains set to the origin point. This creates a significant offset, causing the bird to miscalculate its heading based on the sun's position. ## Behavioral Ecology Implications The findings challenge the assumption that jet lag is a uniquely human experience linked to modern travel. Instead, it appears to be a biological challenge for any species that navigates using time-compensated solar cues. Understanding this phenomenon helps ecologists better predict how migratory species might struggle when environmental conditions or flight paths change rapidly. ## Future Research Directions This study highlights the complex relationship between circadian rhythms and sensory navigation in nature. Future research will likely focus on how these birds eventually recalibrate their internal clocks after arriving at their destination. Observing these recovery periods could reveal how quickly avian species adapt to time zone shifts during their extensive oceanic migrations. ## Sources covering this story - https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/10/seabirds-racing-home-over-the-ocean-can-get-jet-lagged/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._