Why do birds always fly in a "v" shape?

Question

I always see a group of birds, and they are always flying in a v. Every bird follows the leader and never messes up the 'V'. Why???/

Answer 1

The "V" formation is the most aerodynamic configuration that a flock of birds can assume. In flight, birds have to push against wind in order to keep themselves in the air. The need to fly in such a pattern is most apparent and important therefore during long-haul flights such as when birds a migrating. The lead bird is necessarily the strongest since it encounters the most turbulence at the tip of the "V". Moving outward on each arm one expects less and less turbulence with the last bird encountering the least resistance.

In sports such as cycling, the same principle is adopted by teams. Groups of four or five riders bike in a pattern that looks like half a "V", called an echelon. Much like with flocks of birds, cycling teams do this so as to travel more efficiently and reduce energy expenditure. Each member of the team takes his/her turn at the leader's position and while at the head of the echelon, this member allows his/her teammates to rest behind him/her. Since the leader position is equally shared by all, the team as a whole becomes more capable of traveling long distances as compared to when each individual travels at a fixed position. If I'm not mistaken birds also exhibit this behavior in-flight and so they can manage to travel from country to country during migration.

Answer 2

The main reason is aerodynamics and slip streaming. The lead bird is the strongest and as such takes most of the air resistance as he travels. The tail bird have less wind resistance and use less energy in flight. When the lead bird tires they drop to the back where the wind resistance is the least and slowly make they way towards the front again.

Answer 3

It is for aerodynamics. The turbulence is less in that formation, and each bird can "slipstream" and gain speed by riding behind (but offset) from the other. The strongest bird is first, but as he tires, he will drop to the back of the formation and the next bird will become leader.

Answer 4

if they fly in an "I" shape perpendicular to the direction of their flight they wouldnt have a leader to follow- if the they form an "I" parallel to their flight direction, the birds at the back wouldn't have a great visual path to where they are going.. unless the "I" formation is tilted to one side- thus if there are a lot of birds flying in a flock they would need a balanced visual path so the "v" formation is formed.

Answer 5

Aeronautical engineers will inform you that the lead fowl has the main paintings to do. no one is in front of him so he has to triumph over the air resistance on my own. those that stick to in a V shape have it slightly much less puzzling in the event that they fly interior the "vortex" that's created by ability of the fowl in front. for that reason the form of the V. ducks, ducks and all varieties of migratory birds fly that way. Marathon runners and race drivers have a version called drafting. same element, it is a organic thank you to stay away from wind resistance.

Answer 6

they are drafting off of the lead bird and can fly faster with less effort