2006-11-09 00:11:32 · 15 answers · asked by notgethithatonharry 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Zoology
i watched a tv program on this about birds that swarm and its all to do with a few factors ie all the birds are equal distance apart for flying purposes . no bird wants to be on the outside of the swarm or flock due to predator that target such swarms "falcons". so if you can visualise a bird has to have a zone around it to fly and it don't want to be on the edge.when the bird near it moves to the centre of the swarm to stop being on the edge.the new bird that's exposed whether it be from the side above or below that bird will then move to gain cover in the swarm.hence the shapes you get and the sudden change in direction of the swarm you see in the sky.there is a a computer graphic program that runs this formula but i don't were to tell you to go for this.
2006-11-09 08:11:36 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 2⤋
Starlings Flying
2016-10-31 07:51:44 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Starlings form feeding flocks and in the winter much larger roosting flocks, when several feeding flocks join together and migrants from Eastern Europe join them.
The really large winter roosting flocks are the ones that most people see. The aerobatic displays probably have two functions - social interaction between birds before they head off together to roost and as an anti-predator mechanism as it is much harder for predatory birds to pick out an individual from the swirling flocks.
Other small flocking birds, including waders such as the knot also do these incredible flying displays while larger birds such as rooks do much flying around in large numbers before roosting, probably for social purposes but don't show the same amazing patterns, presumably because they are less vulnerable to predation.
2006-11-09 07:19:39 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 3⤋
Starlings are native to Europe, where they migrate to N. Africa in the Autumn.
They have been introduced to N. America and have bred so successfully that there are huge clouds of them.
They still want to migrate but do not know where to go in N.A., so they circle endlessly from tree to tree in groups of hundreds, which may cause one to think the composition of the dense flock takes on a shape, similar to cloud formations or will of the wisp in mists.
2006-11-09 00:21:53 · answer #4 · answered by kellring 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
Its a strategy for avoiding predators. The tighter the pack the less chance of being caught.
2006-11-09 01:14:22 · answer #5 · answered by Old Man of Coniston!. 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
theyre basically flocking up and getting reading to migrate south for winter, thou not all starlings migrate.....I would.
2006-11-10 09:15:14 · answer #6 · answered by Sarah n Will A 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Have you not spotted the thin lengths of fishing wire attached. Starling kite flying is a popular sport and is used to calculate the value of pi
2006-11-09 00:16:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 7⤋
I'm not sure, but we went to see them on the Somerset levels on Sunday and there was hundreds of thousands there. It was one of the most incredible sights I've ever seen.
2006-11-09 00:29:04 · answer #8 · answered by voodoobluesman 5 · 0⤊ 5⤋
They are just being blinded by the reflection off the top of your head.
or
They are weaving you a toupee and trying to pinpoint the exact time and place to drop it on your head.
2006-11-09 01:06:20 · answer #9 · answered by rabbit0102030 3 · 0⤊ 6⤋
Because they are trying to figure out the exact value of Pi.
2006-11-09 00:13:28 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 6⤋