Eli5: Why do birds fly in V’s?
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It takes energy to fly through the air as your body needs to push away the air that’s in front of it. The air that gets pushed away forms a wake behind out of “easy to move through air”. In the case of migrating birds the lead bird is doing a lot of work pushing away the air, the birds to his/her left and right have a much easier time flying. The birds will trade on and off lead bird position as they travel.
In this manner the total energy required per bird to migrate is substantially less than a lone bird just going the journey alone.
Birds often fly in V-formations to benefit from aerodynamic advantages. This formation reduces air resistance for the birds flying behind the leader, saving them energy. Additionally, it allows for better communication and coordination among the birds, making it easier for them to navigate and maintain group cohesion during long migrations.
Flying is like moving through a big pool of air. It’s hard because the air is in the way. Imagine it’s like swimming, but in the air! When birds travel together, the first bird works really hard to make a path through the air, like a leader in a game. The other birds stay beside the leader, and they take turns being the leader. This way, everyone helps each other, and it’s not as tiring for each bird. They’re like a team, making the journey much easier for everyone!
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