Flocks of birds flying in patterns2/21/2023 ![]() The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. It follows that birds that fly in formation glide more often and reduce energy expenditure (Weimerskirch, 2001). The authors of a 2001 Nature article stated that pelicans that fly alone beat their wings more frequently and have higher heart rates than those that fly in formation. In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes:įirst, it conserves their energy. Why do geese fly in a V? Because it would be too hard to fly in an S! Just kidding. Cranes: Soaring birds who travel in flocks, sometimes in a loose V.Energy conservation and visual assurance.Each bird goes his own way but they stay together. On water American coots huddle close together in an extremely dense flock in the presence of a bald eagle.Each bird synchronizes wing movement with the flock: first bird flaps downward, then second bird, then third, then fourth… They will even skim the surface of high rise buildings at the beach. Brown pelicans: The flock travels in a long line, skimming the surface of the ocean.Cowbirds: have a cool hopscotch pattern as they sweep across a field searching for food.Individuals zip forward or slow down but maintain positional integrity. Small finches, common redpolls: Fly fast in relatively tight flocks.American goldfinches say “potato chip” as they fly. Cedar waxwings and American goldfinches: The flock moves in unison but individual birds change position within the flock, mostly by moving up or down.Individuals maintain the same relative position within the flock. Blue jays: A loose flock so widely spaced that they sometimes look like they’re not traveling together.The birds look like black rags flapping in the sky. Individuals show considerable positional movement within the flock. ![]() American crows: A loose flock in which each bird has his own idea about where he wants to be.Geese and swans: V, J or crescent-shaped flock. ![]() Double-crested cormorants: J-shaped flock or a long line.Every bird makes the same move at the same time. Starlings and pigeons: tight flock, synchronicity.Each bird maintains the same relative position within the flock. American robins: loose flock, widely spaced. ![]() Here are some flock shapes I can think of: (First two photos are by Tom Pawlesh, last two by Chuck Tague.) From left to right are four flocks: American robins, European starlings, double-crested cormorants and tundra swans. This skill was particularly useful at the robin roost on January 6 because it was too dark to see individual birds.Īs you can see in the pictures above, the flock shapes can be different even in birds of the same size. Lately it occurred to me that I’m able to identify them at a glance, not by looking at the individual birds but by looking at the shape of the flock. Outside my office window in the afternoon, I see flocks of crows, robins and starlings heading for the roost. ![]()
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