fly in such a uniform group?

interestingly, it is sort of difficult to find a lot of info on the formation behavior of geese.

About the most complete, albeit informal, treatise on the subject I have come across was in the book "Chesapeake" by James Michener.

Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes:

First, it conserves their energy. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of him, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. The authors of a 2001 Nature article stated that pelicans that fly alone beat their wings more frequently and have higher heart rates than those that fly in formation. It follows that birds that fly in formation glide more often and reduce energy expenditure (Weimerskirch, 2001).

The second benefit to the V formation is that it is easy to keep track of every bird in the group. Flying in formation may assist with the communication and coordination within the group. Fighter pilots often use this formation for the same reason.

http://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/geese.html 

cool!

^that's the general consensus..........there are other more interesting behaviors though.

If the lead goose goes down; certain others mark his crash sight and stay with him until he dies, etc .........I can't remember the details but it was uncanny.

The coach's interpretation of why they fly in a V.

Honkers and Windbreakers

It will son be the time of year when we see the geese flying across the sky in their strictly patterned “V? formation. Scientists have explained the purpose and value of such a plan as the “V? formation.

The geese form a wall to black the wind and lessen the group’s overall effort to fly through the air. The goose up front faces wind head on, causing the wind to lessen in power and swirl less harshly around the other geese. Birds, who fly behind the leader, fight lesser tide of air enabling them to last longer and fly further.

The leaders flying against the wind never have the energy to fly up front the entire journey. A flock, needing to travel fast to survive, will easily wear out front-flyer after front-flyer. But the mass of birds see the worth of the volunteer windbreakers and use a method that helps the head goose stay in line longer—they honk.

The honking is not to catch the attention of humans, but is intended to express appreciation and encouragement to the one goose that is facing the wind on behalf of the others. The louder they honk, the longer the leader will be inspired to keep facing the oncoming wind.

When the first leader finally wears out and drops back to assume a different role, he will honk to help new leaders who move out front. Together, honkers and windbreakers, the entire flock of birds flies to their destiny.

Do you know why when they are in the "V" formation there is always one side longer than the other?

There are more ducks in the longer line...............

A joke my kids use on their friends.....lol

^ Or geese in this case

It is my understanding that while in the V form, the honking is communication started by the leader and then his message is sent back thru the flock and as he tires he will signal the flock and they will call the one on the end of the line (who is now basically gliding with little wind resistance as to rest) and he has to bust ass and fly to the head of the V, the other geese will let the leader know he's coming and thus the leader will fall back to second in line and so on and so forth. The short side of the V are usually the week/old slackers and hens..

^

where'd you hear that?

your friend joe!?

It is because they are Socialist Liberals

^LMAO!!

joes grampa taught me everything.....

I red it in some magazine while ago, interesting ****..

When goose hunting never shoot the lead goose first..

it will disperse the group.. hit the last one and work your way forward..

cayman

That worked for Sgt. York as well....LOL

Why do geese

Suddenly appear

Everytime

You are near

Just like me

They long to be

Close to you

saves on bullets !

they honk in order to give us rednecks something to do against each other in bar competitions.