Observations of Bird Behavior During a Total Solar Eclipse at Long Point Bird Observatory, Ontario

Ryan A.C. Leys*

*University of Waterloo, Department of Biology, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, Canada.

Northeastern Naturalist, Volume 33, Issue 2 (2026): N45–N46

First published early online: 4 June 2026

Abstract
I observed behavioral changes of 10 bird species during a total solar eclipse on 8 April 2024 at Long Point Bird Observatory, Long Point, ON, Canada. Diurnal species exhibited behavior typical of the dusk period including flocking and roosting prior to and during totality, and resumed normal daytime behaviors post-totality. A crepuscular species, Scolopax minor (American Woodcock), called twice during totality, but did not vocalize after totality had ended. My observations of changes in bird behavior contribute to the growing list of behavioral changes of animals in response to a total solar eclipse.

Download Full-text pdf (Accessible only to subscribers. To subscribe click here.)