Why do geese fly in v-shape formation/?
It is that simple and it has already been answered. Fly “in the draft.” It takes less “horsepower.” These birds have an ingrained, genetic reason to do so. They are not stupid but they are not human either. They may not be able to reason in the same manner as we can but they know stuff. Perhaps in the simplest of terms, they are NASCAR fans. If you can ride in the the smooth air most of the time and lead a little bit of the time—-everybody saves energy and everybody reaches the destination quicker. Jump to the lead only at the “checkers”–but that means nothing to a goose. Be aware that flying in a V formation is not peculiar to just geese.
Not only can geese fly farther and longer in a V formation, they also fly FASTER in formation than if they were flying solo. So…. we can add SPEED to the list of reasons for the formation. They are beautiful to watch and I love seeing (and hearing) them fly at night across the moon. I don’t love how they mess up the area around ponds etc. but they were flying before we were building so I guess I can live with it. Just don’t go barefoot!!!!!
•By flying in “V ” formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. =>People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. •Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. =>If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are heading in the same as we are. •When the lead goose gets tired, he rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. => It pays to take turns doing hard jobs, with people or with flying geese. •These geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. => We need to be careful what we say when we honk from behind. •Finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot, and fal
