Ever wonder what dictates the behavior of birds in flight?
Birds in flight, the safety scenario
When you see a large group of birds in flight, look at the way they move together. Notice how each bird keeps a pretty consistent distance from the bird in front of it. Pay attention as they move as a unit. Why do they do this? What is the reason?
Birds in flight frequently move in a unit because it keeps them safe. Imagine being a tiny little bird. You have predators everywhere. You see them on the ground and you have them in the sky because birds of prey will swoop down and nab a little bird mid-flight.
By moving in groups, birds of flight protect each other from ground and land predators. It’s much harder for an eagle to grab one bird out of a group of 20. The eagle gets confused when it goes to dive into the large swarm because there are so many birds moving around it.
Birds also find safety in flight when they’re protecting each other from ground predators. Groups of birds warn each other when danger is near and they will also dive bomb a predator that is going after someone in the group. Sometimes this merciless pecking will get rid of the predator and save the bird.
Do all birds travel together?
Not all bird travel together. Many birds fly by themselves and live by themselves. The birds that are able to survive by doing this, are larger and have built in defense mechanisms.
Owls, for example, don’t have to act as one in a group of birds in flight because they’re predators and can protect themselves. They are the hunters, not the hunted. Like smaller birds, they use their powerful wings to help them find food, but they do not need to travel in numbers as a safety precaution.
Do all birds take flight?
Again, the answer is no. Some birds are flightless birds, which makes it impossible for them to be among other birds in flight. Non-flying birds include the kiwi and the ostrich. These birds are two of roughly 40 species that can’t fly. Just like birds of prey, birds that can’t fly have their own defense mechanisms so they don’t have to be part of birds in flight.
