Why Birds Fly In a V Formation 207
sciencehabit writes "Anyone watching the autumn sky knows that migrating birds fly in a V formation, but scientists have long debated why. A new study of ibises — where researchers took to microlight planes and recorded birds strapped with GPS in-flight — finds that these big-winged birds carefully position their wingtips and sync their flapping, presumably to catch the preceding bird's updraft and save energy during flight."
Not always (Score:5, Funny)
In the northern hemisphere they actually fly in an A formation. Only in the southern hemisphere do they fly in a V.
Something to do with the Coriolis effect.
This makes me optimistic (Score:5, Funny)
about getting funding for *my* study on why dogs lick their balls.
Re:Not always (Score:4, Funny)
I once saw a flock in F formation meet up with a flock in U formation. I think they might be the descendants of the birds I pissed off with a BB gun when I was a child.
Re:Who is John Galt? (Score:5, Funny)
No, it's an anarcho-syndicalist commune. They take it in turns to act as a sort of executive lead-bird of the flight.
Re:This is new? (Score:2, Funny)
Right, because the guy should have remembered being taught it before he was born rather than so late in the game as when he was a child.
Re: This is new? (Score:5, Funny)
They should also test an unladen swallow.
Re: This is new? (Score:5, Funny)
European or African?
Re:This is new? (Score:4, Funny)
Right, because the guy should have remembered being taught it before he was born rather than so late in the game as when he was a child.
Well, whatever we do, by no means should science draw from the past experience and knowledge of the world.
If we ever create a world-wide instantaneous knowledge discovery system, it will be the end of all progress.
In other words: That he does not know it upon birth is a damn design flaw, human.
The lesser-known second cousin... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:This is new? (Score:5, Funny)
Right, because the guy should have remembered being taught it before he was born rather than so late in the game as when he was a child.
If only we had places where information could be stored and searched so people who think they've figured out something new can actually look to see if it's new.