REAL LIFE NEWS: WHY DO BIRDS FLY IN A V FORMATION?
by Hazed
Scientists have finally shown just why flocks of birds adopt the characteristic V formation when flying long distances. As suspected, it’s to do with saving energy.
The scientists from the Royal Veterinary College in the UK fitted data loggers to every member of a flock of rare birds that were being trained to migrate by following a microlight aircraft.
The study recorded the position, speed and heading of every bird in the flock, and made a note of every flap of their wings. The data received showed that each bird flew in the optimal position to gain lift from the bird in front of it, by flying close to its wingtip.
It was possible to get such a detailed amount of data because of a unique conservation project in Austria. There, flocks of northern bald ibises are raised and then trained to migrate behind the micro plane. The aim of the project is to being the bird back to Europe, where it was previously wiped out by hunting.
The data loggers gave a detailed view of what happened to each bird throughout the flight, and showed that they often changed their positions and altered the timing of their wing beats to increase their aerodynamic advantage, making the most of the upwash – upward-moving air generated by the bird in front.
Lead researcher Dr Steven Portugal explained: “They’re seemingly very aware of where the other birds are in the flock and they put themselves in the best possible position.”
Check out the source link below for a diagram showing how birds take advantage of the V formation, and a video of the ibises following the microlight.
Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-25736049
