The familiar V-shaped flight formation of geese and other birds helps them save energy, by exploiting uplifting air created by the bird in front. My latest for @sciencefocus.bsky.social: www.sciencefocus.com/qanda/v-form... 🧪🌍 - ThreadSky

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claireasher.bsky.social • 72 days ago

The familiar V-shaped flight formation of geese and other birds helps them save energy, by exploiting uplifting air created by the bird in front.

My latest for @sciencefocus.bsky.social: https://www.sciencefocus.com/qanda/v-formation-birds 🧪🌍

Comments

boedav13.bsky.social•71 days ago

Do they take turns being the lead bird like bicyclists?

claireasher.bsky.social•71 days ago

Yes it seems so, for ibis at least!

From the original paper: "Certain individuals showed general preferences for a particular area in the V formation, but the variability in positioning in the flock resulted in no clear leader"

rcownie.bsky.social•71 days ago

Another way of looking at it is that it recovers some of the energy of the wingtip vortex, giving a higher overall lift/drag ratio as if they had a longer wingspan. A group of aircraft can get a modest win the same way, but it's dangerous to fly so close together at higher speeds.

rcownie.bsky.social•71 days ago

Very interesting that they coordinate their flapping to maximize the effect.

rcownie.bsky.social•70 days ago

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2013/07/19/203628048/birds-teach-the-air-force-a-better-way-to-fly

boedav13.bsky.social•71 days ago

Thank you

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