(CNN) — The total solar eclipse in North America on April 8, 2024, temporarily reset the biological clocks of some bird species, according to new research.

The eclipse created a dramatic spectacle as the moon moved between Earth and the sun, plunging midday into a few moments of total darkness along a path from Mazatlán, Mexico, to St. Johns in Newfoundland, Canada.

During and after the event, 29 bird species burst into song as though a new day had begun, said the authors of a study published Thursday in the journal Science .

Many of the observations came from citizen scientists located across the eclipse path, which helped broaden the scope of the study.

For scientists who track animal behavior, the eclipse provided the perfect natural experiment to see how birds react to tempo

See Full Page