Researchers from Hokkaido University and Aarhus University claimed they have made a groundbreaking discovery about the nocturnal activities of little auks in the Arctic.

Using acoustic recordings, the team said they uncovered hidden rhythms of the seabird colonies in Northwest Greenland, shedding light on their behaviour under the constant daylight of the Arctic summer.

Footage shows the auks flying and making squawking sounds that filled the area by the sea.

Led by Associate Professor Evgeny A Podolskiy from Hokkaido University, the study published in Communications Biology revealed a surge in vocalization activity among little auks during the night, a stark difference from the dawn chorus typically seen in other environments.

The finding provided valuable insights into the birds' ecological dynamics and daily routines.

According to Dr Anders Mosbech from Aarhus University, understanding the behavioural dynamics of little auks is crucial for monitoring environmental shifts in the Arctic.

The study highlighted the importance of passive acoustic monitoring as a non-invasive and efficient method for studying bird colonies in remote regions like the Arctic.

The research team said they plan to continue investigating the acoustic ecology of Arctic seabirds and collaborate with local communities to enhance conservation efforts.