This fall when you see geese heading south for the winter flying along in a "V" formation,
you might be interested in knowing what science has discovered about why they fly that way.
It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird immediately
following. By flying in a "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 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 headed the same way we are going.) 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 geese flying south.) The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. (What do we say when we honk from behind?)
And finally, when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gun shot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with the goose until it is either able to fly again or until it dies, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. (IF WE HAVE THE SENSE IF A GOOSE, WE WILL STAND BY EACH OTHER LIKE THAT!)
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Are You A Goose?
Posted by Lisa Deets at 11:00 PM
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1 comments:
That's so interesting!! I think I've read that before, but I didn't remember it all.
It was good to read again.
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