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 temporary changes in light, something that is difficult to achieve in a laboratory setting. Total solar eclipses typically occur in the same location once every three to four centuries, according to the study, which means that most wild birds have never experienced one.

Studying how wild animals respond to natural events like an eclipse provides insight into how they cope with rapid environmental change and aid in conservation efforts, said lead study author Liz Aguilar, a doctoral student in the evolution, ecology and behavior program at Indiana