General Chat

Geese fly in a V formation. Is it the one in front knows the way ?

Flying in a 'V' formation cuts down on wind resistance, and they change places, as it's tiring leading! :-D :-D

So one can only assume, they all know the way :-D :-D

Thank you Maggie. They are are very strong the distances they fly.

(my question was silly, an attempt at humour)

As we are on the subject, and I am killing time before going to the pub, did you know.... the Arctic tern undertakes the greatest distance of all the birds.

I never knew that. Pound for pound some UK finches are stronger, flying all the was to
Europe.

That's nothing the Monarch butterfly goes from Mexico to Canada.

They all probably see more of the world than us don't they!

They certainly do Ann. Those butterflies must rely on the wind ?

Nature is amazing really.

Referring back to cuckoos, ... How do the young fledglings know they have to go to Africa. ? Do they gather ( who decides where and how do they know ? ) and fly as a group or do they take off individually? It's not as if their parents stay around to nurture them and guide.

The swallows and swifts arrive here in February from Africa and disappear August/September. The adults congregate just before flying off. A few weeks later the young birds congregate and then fly off together.

Their instinct where to go must be genetic. I am assuming that the young birds need a few more weeks of feeding and strengthening before attempting to follow their parents. The adult birds leaving also helps the youngsters as there's more food for them with less birds in the area.

Fascinating how and why it all works. Pigeons must have a map in their head <3