There are a number of papers that have recorded and discussed responses of animal species (invertebrates and vertebrates) to solar eclipses. The most recent one I can find is:
Wiantoro, S. (2019). Effects of the total solar eclipse of March 9, 2016 on the animal behaviour. Journal of Tropical Biology and Conservation 16: 141-153.
https://jurcon.ums.edu.my/ojums/index.php/jtbc/article/view/2035
A pdf of the paper can be downloaded for free by clicking on the above link. There is a comprehensive set of references to previous studies at the end of the paper.
Kind regards,
Stephen Ambrose
Ryde NSW
From: Birding-Aus <> On Behalf Of Philip Veerman
Sent: 20 April 2023 8:52 AM
To: 'Birding Aus' <>;
Subject: [Birding-Aus] About solar eclipse.
I expect we are all aware of the solar eclipse today. Are there any bird people at Exmouth today to see it?
As it happens, my first significant contribution to published bird study was my article: (1982) ‘A record of avian and other responses to the total solar eclipse – 23 October 1976’, Australian Bird Watcher 9: 179–209. (As far as I know, this is still the world’s biggest analysis of animal behaviour to a solar eclipse.) About the event today (as in the totality impact on Australia) extent only just touches on the far west of WA. The partial eclipse will be visible over the whole of Australia. For most of us in the south east, it will not be noticeable without particularly trying, as only a very limited partial eclipse. To notice it there, you would need to use a pinhole camera technique. Birds will not notice it or be impacted in any way in the small partial areas. But in areas included in totality they certainly do notice!
Philip Veerman
