When birds fly in formation, do they have a designated leader?

Question

In other words, do particular birds typically play certain roles based on characteristic preferences or "personalities"? (e.g., are some birds just "natural leaders"/"followers", etc?) Or instead is it the case that, at any given time, the flight position of any particular bird is just a random thing?

Answer 1

No, it is more or less random.

"Even though the V formation benefits all of the birds, the bird in the lead position has to work the hardest. When this bird tires, it will drop out of the lead position and fall further back into one of the lines of the V. Another bird from further back will rapidly move forward to take the leading position and maintain the formation. The two birds in the furthest trailing positions also tire more rapidly than those in the middle, so these positions are also rotated frequently to spread the most fatiguing locations throughout the flock. This cyclical rearrangement gives all birds the responsibility of being the leader as well as a chance to enjoy the maximum benefits of being in the middle of the formation. This sense of teamwork comes naturally since even the youngest members of the flock rapidly realize that it takes less work to fly in a V formation than it does to fly alone."
http://www.aerospaceweb.org/question/nature/q0237.shtml

Answer 2

No, they specifically rotate the lead position because it is the most tiring. As the lead bird tires, it will drop back and let another bird lead.

Answer 3

I've watched geese and ducks fly in their typical V formation.

The birds rotate in and out of the lead position.

Answer 4

...it is commonly.. known as ,telepathic, among ,birds in a flock...
u take care...
D.