Why do ducks & geese fly in a 'V' formation?

Question

How do ducks & geese instinctively know to fly in formation? Does it have anything to do with aerodynamics?

Answer 1

Yes. The lead duck creates a backdraft that helps pull the other ducks along. of course, this tires out the lead duck so they rotate and change places every so often. It makes the flying a bit easier for the other ducks in the formation.

You can do the same thing in your car on the highway by tailing a tractor trailor truck in the next lane, staying slightly behind. The pressure wave created by the truck will reduce the wind resistance on your vehicle, resulting in better gas mileage for you.

Answer 2

Why do geese fly in a V? Because it would be too hard to fly in an S! Just kidding!!Canada Geese is probably what you are referring to and this bird flies in
a V formation for several purposes it is believed. One is that it
indicates dominance in the group. The lead birds are always
female. Second the lead bird is creating a turbulance wave that actual
assists the birds behind it. The further back you are in the formation,
the less energy you need in the flight. Lead birds do rotate to keep
exhaustion from happening. Computer models show that the V formation
allows for the best postioning to receive the boost from the air waves
created by the bird in front.
S. Sample

The "v" is a result of birds taking advantage of a little bit of extra lift
from the air flow off the wing of the previous bird, so the legs are not
necessarily, and usually aren't, equal, sometimes no v, just a single line.
Geese and cranes most usually use the formation.

Answer 3

It does have something to do with aerodynamics. The bird in the lead is doing the most work while the others are taking advantage of the uplift from the wing tip vortices's on his aerodynamics. When he gets tired, he falls back and an a different bird takes the lead for a while.

Answer 4

it conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest.

The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.

Answer 5

so they can fly farther than if they were flying alone,

The bird in the front is disturbing the air so there is nit so much wind resistence behind and on either side of the leader bird. much like drafting in Nascar. When the lead bird gets tired; it will leave and start flying at one end of th V, and one of the birds in the second place will take the lead until it becomes yired then drops bak to the end again.

Answer 6

It has a lot to do with aerodynamics. The lead bird has to work harder to fly, which is why you will see them trade the lead a lot. The birds in the back don't have to work as hard.

Answer 7

For the same reason jet fly faster when their wings are shape d like "V", aerodynamically correct=smart little birdies=:-D

Answer 8

It saves on enegy. They switch around the lead . It is ingrained in their brains.

Answer 9

becasue all the cool birds are doing it.