Why do geese fly in a V?
It’s a classic sight during migration: geese flying overhead in a perfect V-formation. But, why do geese fly in a V?
Scientists and some lay-birders 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 them, 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.
It follows that birds that fly in formation glide more often and reduce energy expenditure.
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.
Geese fly in V formation for a very pragmatic reason: a flock of geese flying in formation can move faster and maintain flight longer than any one goose flying alone. Synergy is a law of nature.
We and our teams have a lot to learn from these geese
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 falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow him down to help and protect him. They stay with him until he is either able to fly or until he is dead, and then they launch out on their own or with another formation until they catch up with their group. If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other, protect one another and sometimes make new friends who seem to be going in our direction.
