The way the air flows around them as they're flying, there's less disturbance and drag behind anything that's moving through air, like how cars tailgating behind huge trucks can save loads on gasoline if they don't die in a wreck... Anyway, they all fly as close to each other as they safely can, and the poor head bird takes more work to fly than the others, so they actually take turns.
2007-07-28 19:17:07
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answer #1
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answered by Anniekd 6
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It's the most aerodynamic way for a flock of birds to fly. The bird in the front breaks the wave of air, and the rest follow behind, in a V, taking less energy for the whole flock... Notice how one bird does not stay in the front for a very long time.
2007-07-29 02:15:50
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answer #2
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answered by Rocco R 4
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It's aerodynamics. Each bird coasts in the windstream of the bird next to it, riding along like dolphins do with a boat, with the leader "breaking" the air. After awhile, the leader drops back and another one takes his place. It's said the birds in the middle of each arm of the V have to do very little flapping but mostly ride. Smart birds.
2007-07-29 02:17:12
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answer #3
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answered by Jess 7
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The one bird splits the wind, and the others ride his draft. It's just like NASCAR, like one of the other answerers said. When the leader gets tired, however, he just floats to the back of the line and some other bird flies in front to lead the flock.
2007-07-29 02:19:13
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answer #4
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answered by Anonymous
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It reduces wind resistance on the birds in the rear. Every once in a while they change places so the bird in the front can get a break.
2007-07-29 02:16:33
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answer #5
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answered by Anonymous
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Aerodynamics. They fly easier when they catch the thermals of other birds and they change position so that not everyone does all the hard work.
2007-07-29 04:21:12
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answer #6
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answered by Bru 6
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Drafting like Nascar.
2007-07-29 02:14:08
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answer #7
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answered by alwaysmoose 7
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has something to do with saving energy and wind turbulence
2007-07-29 02:13:19
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answer #8
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answered by NoLongerHere 7
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http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/nature/q0237.shtml
Nice explanation there!
2007-07-29 02:14:57
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answer #9
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answered by Sal*UK 7
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