Re: flocking

[Bill Adlam <sagitta_elegans@yahoo.com>]

Jaime wrote:

> <The skein does follow the bird at the front, but this
> has nothing to do with pecking order. Different birds
> take turns in going first, and suffering higher drag.>
> 
>   I was wondering about that. I mean, horse herds opt
> to have the "boss" the back, but why would the Flying
> V's [skeins?] opt for the morew turbulent leading
> edge? Indeed, thanks for the correction.

You do see the skeins rearranging from time to time.  I presume that
eventually the leading bird gets tired and slows down a bit, and one
of the others overtakes it.  Then the rest settle into the most
comfortable positions.

Bill Adlam
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