Valmir C. Barbosa and Andre Nathan (from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) used computers to simulate the V-shaped flight of 15 to 35 migrating geese. Previous theories thought that such birds flew in such formations either (1) to get an unobstructed view in front of them or (2) to get uplift from the movement of nearby bird wings.

In their paper “V-like formations in flocks of artificial birds”, the two Brazilian researchers found that BOTH theories are true. They found that geese migrate in a “V” formation to provide each bird with the best view in front and to give each bird an aerodynamic uplift from the flapping of wings.

Each bird within the artificial simulation sought out to fly just behind a bird in front of them so that their view was not blocked and so that they could receive aerodynamic uplift from the neighboring bird.

The two researches also found that sometimes the artificial formations formed a “W” shape, which is also seen in nature.

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