Geese, pelicans, and many other migratory birds use the strategy of flying in formation, but they do not have leaders who coordinate their flight. Individuals in the flock take turns flying in the front, to share the load. The bird flying at the front of the V exerts the most energy, but every bird behind them is able to benefit from the extra lift that their wings create. This formation is strategic, as it makes long-distance flights as energetically efficient as possible. The ibises fly in V-formation as a way to deal with the high energetic cost of migration. Many juveniles do not survive their first journey. The birds must travel a distance of 1500 kilometers, pushing their bodies to breaking point. Birds are able to travel over 70% longer distances when flying in a formation, versus flying alone because it is more aerodynamic.Ī team of zoologists from the UK, Austria, and Germany, researched the annual migration of northern bald ibises from Austria to Italy. Many large species of birds fly in a V-formation on their long migratory journeys. Is There a Leader When Birds Fly in V-Formation? Other than having more pairs of eyes to look out for predators, it is also an advantage for birds to flock in large numbers, because there are more individuals on the lookout for food. These sudden movements confuse hawks, keeping the starlings safe. Hawks will attack a flock of starlings, and the flock responds in split-seconds, twisting, splitting, and merging to avoid the attacker. There is safety in numbers.īirds that fly alone or stray too far from the flock are more likely to be picked off by predators. Each flock member has a strong instinct to stick together, for the sake of self-preservation. Why Do Birds Fly in a Flock?īirds flock together for the same reason that many other species gather in large numbers, like swarms of insects, herds of antelope, or schools of fish. They stay close together to keep themselves, and each other warm. Starlings and blackbirds flock together densely on winter nights to roost, but because there are such a massive number of individuals in the flock, they do not form a social order.
They communicate when it is time to change by honking. Initially the strongest flyer will take up the lead position and then the geese take turns flying in front. There may be a dominant goose in the flock, but this does not determine who flies in front when they are migrating. Geese demonstrate strong social group behavior, as they raise their young communally. The leaders, those at the top of the pecking order, will eat or drink before others, take up the most comfortable roost positions and use the most favorable nest boxes to lay their eggs. Individuals that are more dominant by nature rise to the top of the pecking order by challenging other birds. This contrasts with turkeys and chickens, which also have a social hierarchy, or pecking order, but this is more permanent. Pigeon social hierarchy is dynamic, with other birds taking over the leadership role regularly. The leader flies in the front of the flock to steer them to their destination.
Their social order is determined by who flies the fastest and has the best navigation skills. Social Hierarchy in Birdsįlocks of pigeons do not fly in elegant formations, but they do have leaders amongst them. In giant flocks of starlings, there are more complex leader-follower dynamics at play, allowing thousands of individuals to move as one. When flocks of geese, pelicans, or ibis migrate, flying in lines or in V-formation, they take turns flying as the leader at the front. For example, in flocks of pigeons there is a social hierarchy and leader-follower dynamics. Is There a Leader When Birds Fly in V-Formation?Īll bird species have different social structures and dynamics.
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