European nightjars seem to time their big migration flights with the moon — they all tend to take off together about 11 days after the full moon, like clockwork.

14

Pro

0

Against

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

14

Community contributions welcome

14

The lunar cycle drives migration of a nocturnal bird

Cohort Study

Animal

2019 Oct

The study shows that European nightjars migrate more at certain times of the moon cycle because the moonlight helps them hunt insects, and many birds end up migrating together after full moons.

Contradicting (0)

0

Community contributions welcome

No contradicting evidence found

Gold Standard Evidence Needed

According to GRADE and EBM methodology, here is what ideal scientific evidence would look like to definitively prove or disprove this specific claim, ordered from strongest to weakest evidence.

Source Study

The lunar cycle drives migration of a nocturnal bird

Score: 14

DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3000456

Similar Assertions

European nightjars don’t stay longer at rest stops just to take advantage of bright moonlit nights—they actually leave about a week after the full moon, following a set schedule instead of waiting for the best lighting conditions.

14

0

82%