Birds soar the blue skies in a V like formation because of aerodynamics or movement of the air National Monitor reported Thursday.
Scientists gathered information via global positioning systems on birds that traveled from one place to another to find that the V shape allows the species to fly more effectively because they can organize their wing motions to glide on up wash or air that is good National Monitor reported.
Birds in a single file line lessen downwash or air that is bad National Monitor reported. The concept resembles drafting, a tactic used by race car drivers to use as less power as possible National Monitor reported.
Researchers observed 14 northern bald ibises, and found the birds moved their feathers up and down at a 45 degree angle from another bird in front of or in back of them the group National Monitor reported. The birds also stayed four feet in the back of each of their counterparts National Monitor reported.
"Birds flying in V formation flap with wingtip path coherence, meaning that their wingtips take the same path to maximize upwash capture," Dr. Stephen Portugal, lead researcher at Royal Veterinary College told National Monitor. "In contrast, birds flying in line flap in spatial antiphase, with wingtip paths maximally separated, to avoid adverse downwash," Portugal told National Monitor.
"The intricate mechanisms involved in V formation flight indicate remarkable awareness and ability of birds to respond to the wing path of nearby flock-mates," Portugal told National Monitor. "Birds in V formation seem to have developed complex phasing strategies to cope with the dynamic wakes produced by flapping wings," Portugal told National Monitor.
Northern Bald Ibises measure 70 to 80 centimeters, and appear to have blue, green, and copper hues on its fur when in direct sunlight Bird Life International reported.
