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Why Birds Fly In a V Formation

sciencehabit writes "Anyone watching the autumn sky knows that migrating birds fly in a V formation, but scientists have long debated why. A new study of ibises — where researchers took to microlight planes and recorded birds strapped with GPS in-flight — finds that these big-winged birds carefully position their wingtips and sync their flapping, presumably to catch the preceding bird's updraft and save energy during flight."

10 of 207 comments (clear)

  1. Not always by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    In the northern hemisphere they actually fly in an A formation. Only in the southern hemisphere do they fly in a V.

    Something to do with the Coriolis effect.

    1. Re:Not always by SJHillman · · Score: 3, Funny

      I once saw a flock in F formation meet up with a flock in U formation. I think they might be the descendants of the birds I pissed off with a BB gun when I was a child.

  2. This makes me optimistic by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    about getting funding for *my* study on why dogs lick their balls.

  3. Re:Who is John Galt? by Kyont · · Score: 5, Funny

    No, it's an anarcho-syndicalist commune. They take it in turns to act as a sort of executive lead-bird of the flight.

    --
    You shall see a cow on the roof of a cotton house.
  4. Re:This is new? by nedlohs · · Score: 2, Funny

    Right, because the guy should have remembered being taught it before he was born rather than so late in the game as when he was a child.

  5. Re: This is new? by Dan+East · · Score: 5, Funny

    They should also test an unladen swallow.

    --
    Better known as 318230.
  6. Re: This is new? by i.r.id10t · · Score: 5, Funny

    European or African?

    --
    Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
  7. Re:This is new? by VortexCortex · · Score: 3, Funny

    Right, because the guy should have remembered being taught it before he was born rather than so late in the game as when he was a child.

    Well, whatever we do, by no means should science draw from the past experience and knowledge of the world.

    If we ever create a world-wide instantaneous knowledge discovery system, it will be the end of all progress.

    In other words: That he does not know it upon birth is a damn design flaw, human.

  8. The lesser-known second cousin... by gweilo8888 · · Score: 4, Funny

    Would that be Elbert Einstain you speak of?

  9. Re:This is new? by Nyder · · Score: 4, Funny

    Right, because the guy should have remembered being taught it before he was born rather than so late in the game as when he was a child.

    If only we had places where information could be stored and searched so people who think they've figured out something new can actually look to see if it's new.

    --
    Be seeing you...