Amazing Scientific Discovery

Jim Jamieson · 17th January 2014, 15:29

Yesterday morning I was watching The BBC news channel and this came up.

Apparently scientists have discovered the reason why birds fly in a V formation.

It's to save energy

I had to look at the calendar to make sure it was not April 1st.

I seem to recall from a very early age that birds fly in a V formation to save energy and that they change places regularly with the leading bird.

OK before I get shot down this group had attached sensors onto the birds which they were training with the aid of a micro light.

Surely the BBC could have come up with a more updated news item .

Walter · 17th January 2014, 15:32

Sorry to break the thread Jim , the byrds at the Barrowland never done it that way

windrush · 17th January 2014, 15:45

The BBC are very good at telling us what we knew years ago

wraymond · 17th January 2014, 18:17

I have always thought it was to fly in 'clean' air by avoiding the vortices resulting from the air flow over the preceeding bird's wings, which create turbulence. It also gives better vision ahead, and you don't need a rear view mirror. Aircraft engineers know the advantage of < shaped flight surfaces.

tareim · 17th January 2014, 23:56

Mythbusters covered this subject, heres a short clip from it http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/my...the-vortex.htm

17th January 2014, 15:29	#1
Jim Jamieson This is my second home Rover less ! Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Tarbolton Posts: 3,442 Thanks: 393 Thanked 888 Times in 542 Posts	Amazing Scientific Discovery Yesterday morning I was watching The BBC news channel and this came up. Apparently scientists have discovered the reason why birds fly in a V formation. It's to save energy I had to look at the calendar to make sure it was not April 1st. I seem to recall from a very early age that birds fly in a V formation to save energy and that they change places regularly with the leading bird. OK before I get shot down this group had attached sensors onto the birds which they were training with the aid of a micro light. Surely the BBC could have come up with a more updated news item .

17th January 2014, 15:32	#2
Walter Posted a thing or two zebadee Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: Ayrshire Posts: 1,481 Thanks: 135 Thanked 207 Times in 192 Posts	Birds Sorry to break the thread Jim , the byrds at the Barrowland never done it that way

17th January 2014, 15:45	#3
windrush This is my second home December 2004 Rover 75 2ltr CDTi Connoisseur SE HL Tourer Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Aldershot Posts: 74,464 Thanks: 2,431 Thanked 3,015 Times in 2,347 Posts	The BBC are very good at telling us what we knew years ago __________________ ][SIGPIC][/SIGPIC] My Pearl Black Beauty Best regards Lilian and Derek Club Member No. 96 / Forum User No. 111 REGISTRATION to the club as a member FREE, FULL MEMBERSHIP is £10 WE WILL REMEMBER THEM

17th January 2014, 18:17	#4
wraymond This is my second home 75 Auto 2.5 SE Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Westcliff on Sea Posts: 5,217 Thanks: 423 Thanked 1,680 Times in 1,014 Posts	I have always thought it was to fly in 'clean' air by avoiding the vortices resulting from the air flow over the preceeding bird's wings, which create turbulence. It also gives better vision ahead, and you don't need a rear view mirror. Aircraft engineers know the advantage of < shaped flight surfaces. __________________ member no. 235

17th January 2014, 23:56	#5
tareim I really should get out more....... MG ZT+ 160 v6 Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Bridgwater Posts: 2,272 Thanks: 73 Thanked 233 Times in 210 Posts	Mythbusters covered this subject, heres a short clip from it http://dsc.discovery.com/tv-shows/my...the-vortex.htm __________________ https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-x...h96-no/Sig.png My Project Thread