Why do birds fly V shaped sometimes??

Answer 1

A team of scientists taped heart monitors to a group of pelicans that were trained to fly behind a small airplane. They discovered that the heart rates of the birds were lower when flying in a V than when flying solo. Migrating birds use the "squadron" formation because it allows them to glide more often, conserving energy. The aerodynamic V shape reduces the air resistance, allowing the geese to cover longer distances. In fact, a flock of geese can fly 70 percent farther by adopting the V shape rather than flying in isolation.

The V formation may offer other benefits as well. Each bird has an unobstructed field of vision, allowing flock members to see each other and communicate while in flight.

The goose at the head of the V is not necessarily the leader of the flock. Apparently, geese take turns leading. As one bird tires, it drops to the back of the formation and another takes its place. Now that's what we call teamwork.

Answer 2

A bird's shape, when in flight, means that it will produce a V-shaped wake. At a certain distance behind the leading bird along this wake, the turbulence is such that it helps the second and third bird in their flight. This distance depends mostly on the size of the leading bird, but also, to a certain extent, on its air speed. The second and third bird also produce V-shaped wakes, which, in turn, facilitate the flight of the fourth and fifth bird and so on. I'm not sure why this doesn't produce a branching series of V-shapes.

You may have noticed a related effect if you have ever been riding a bicycle and been overtaken by a high-sided vehicle like a lorry. The effect of the wake is initially to cause the bicycle to slow down. Then, a second or so later, there comes a point where the wake appears to carry you along with it and causes the bicycle to accelerate with virtually no effort on your part. If you could keep at this constant distance from the lorry, you could probably reach your destination in half the time. However, I don't recommend this course of action - unless there is an ambulance following closely behind !

Answer 3

The bird flying in the front creates trailing vortex field behind. The other birds that follow it hence get advantage of extra lift due to the trailing vortex field. And during the fly they also keep interchanging their lead, thus conserving energy for long distance migration.

Answer 4

It happens needless to say. they % to fly in a quickly line permitting the only interior the front to interrupt the wind, in spite of the undeniable fact that on the comparable time they % to be able to work out. so as that they flow out inflicting the v shape. in many circumstances you will locate that those V shapes made are seldom ideal and in many situations have extra birds on one area then the different.

Answer 5

the leader stays in the front in the middle, everybody follows them but still a further away from the middle for better visibility and to prevent colliding with the one in front

Answer 6

Overall it reduces drag for the squadron

Answer 7

so they can follow the leader and still see where they are going.

Answer 8

i think i heard they do it without even knowing it.

Answer 9

its all about aerodynamics