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Birding/flying pattern of geese

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Expert: - 6/21/2006


Question
My five yr old asked me this morning why do geese fly in the V pattern. My best guess to her was , there is one leader and so that everyone stays together and thier vision is clear in front of them? Please help me give her an educated answer!  

Answer
Good question. But there is no "leader". The formation continually changes and so does the lead bird. They fly in that formation because it is aerodynamic - in other words, it is easier to fly that way. Reasons are that they can take advantage of the wind currents the birds in front create and they can see each other better to stay coordinated in flight. Roger Lederer at Ornithology.com

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Roger Lederer

Expertise

Any and all about WILD birds - the science of ornithology. Information about birdwatching, ecology, conservation, migration, behavior, banding, rehabilitation, feeding, songs, binoculars, identification, and careers in ornithology. No questions about pet or caged birds, please.

Experience

Have a PhD and over forty years as a professional ornithologist - research, teaching, author, speaker, webmaster of Ornithology.com . Have written thirty scientific papers, three bird field guides, a textbook in ecology and two recent books entitled "Amazing Birds" and "Birds of New England". Have traveled to over 90 countries watching birds.

Education/Credentials
PhD in Zoology/Ornithology; Emeritus Professor of Biological Sciences; former Dean of the College of Natural Sciences at California State University, Chico

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