Why Do Geese Fly In A Formation Of a V?

Question

It's that time of year when geese fly elsewhere to avoid the British Winter.

But have wondered recently why do they fly in formation of a V?

Thanks

Answer 1

like being behind a semi the bow air wave reduces air resistance

Answer 2

Why do geese fly in a V? Because it would be too hard to fly in an S! Just kidding. Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes: First, 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 3

It reduces the wind resistance, and makes it easier for the geese flying towards the back.

The goose at the front of the formation will encounter the most wind resistance but the geese towards the back will face the least. Mostly the younger geese will fly at the back of the formation. The older more experienced geese will take turns flying in front.

Isn't it amazing that they not only figured out wind resistance but also work as a team so everyone takes turns to help and no one gets tired!

Answer 4

Believe it or not.... It is easier for them to fly that way, it causes less " drag " on the geese, it creates a drafting affect for the geese, the lead goose, is actually causing the air to more or less get divided and there is less air for the following geese to fly through, after some time the lead goose will fall behind and then another goose will take the lead !!!! Nature is so wonderful isn't it ????

Answer 5

Geese fly in a V to make travelling easier for the flock.

The goose in the front of the formation take all the wind drag so that the rest of the flock doesn't have to push through the wind resistance. They often rotate the formation after landing and resting.

Answer 6

the v-formation is the formation that offers the least air resistance. if you have a background on wave mechanics or simple wave physics, you would know that when you try to run anything over the water, the wave follows an inverted v form.

if geese or any migratory birds were to fly in a straight line, those who are located at the extremeties will experience the greatest air resistance because the middle bird is the one that breaks the barrier and the following bird will pass it onto the next bird and so on. so in order for them to experience minimal air resistance, they tend to fly in a v formation.

Answer 7

It's a little like drafting in auto racing. For a goose in flight, the easiest and least tiring place to fly is just off a partner's wingtip, and a little behind that partner.

So, when everybody except the lead goose wants to fly off someone else's wingtip, pretty soon the whole flock gets arranged in a V formation. Sometimes you'll see "secondary Vs" branching off from one side or the other, but since the drag reducing effect is cumulative (up to a point), most flocks arrange themselves in simple Vs.

Answer 8

u know that plane creates turbulance, so its dangerous for another plane to follow closely cos they might lose control, same happens on F1 racers cars they try to stay behind or avoid the car in front fast, not to meet those turbulance force.

in nature though, geese n many other species developed a way of controling that turbulance in order to help them to use less power to fly, so they follow closely another geese. but they cant do it if they form lets say 5X5, cos i think they can only contol turbulance from 1 goose, so they form arrow like shape when flying....


i hope this helped u

Answer 9

cause they can