Expert: Roger Lederer - 6/17/2004

Question
Mr. Lederer,

I am wondering if you might be able to answer this question for me?  Everday on my morning commute I drive through a busy intersection.  There are four lanes in each direction and also 2 sets of turning lanes at this stoplight.  

Almost everytime I approach this intersection I notice an amazing number of small birds flying around right in the middle of the traffic.  They are swooping in and out all over the place.  I am curious why the birds would do this.  I would think it would hard for them to retrieve any food at such a busy place.  Any thoughts?  

Answer
Well, without actually observing the phenomenon, I can only guess. Certainly, there is something attractive about the intersection. There may be a lot of insects swarming around there - the heat of asphault sometimes attracts insects. Or there may be lights there that attract insects. Or, I have observed, if it is an intersection that comes after a long stretch of highway, cars come in with radiators full of bugs and the birds are looking for those. Or the birds are just swarming together to communicate during migration. If I had a photo I could make a better guess. For more information on wild birds, see www.ornithology.com. Roger Lederer