by Curious Kids is a series for children of all ages. If you have a question you want to answer from an expert, send it to curiouskidsus@theconversation.com.
Why do herds plunge together of birds and swirl together in the sky? – Artie W., 9 years, Astoria, New York
A formal herd of thousands of stars, which is known as grinding, can be seen surprisingly. Up to 750,000 birds compete together. The birds spread and come together. The herd divides apart and merges again. Murmins constantly change the direction, fly a few hundred meters high and then zoom in to almost fall on the floor. They look like swirling blobs and make tears, eighth, pillars and other shapes. Murmas can move quickly – stars fly up to 50 miles per hour (80 kilometers per hour).
Like many birds, the European or common starling forms groups called herds when they are looking for or migrated for food. But a murmur is different. This special type of herd is named after the sound of a low murmur, which you produce from thousands of wing beats and soft flight calls.
Murmins form about an hour before sunset in autumn, winter and early spring when the birds are nearby where they sleep. After maybe 45 minutes of this spectacular air outlet, the birds suddenly fall into their rest for the night.
Why do starling murmurs form?
In contrast to the V -Murmins of wandering geese do not offer aerodynamic advantage.
Scientists believe that a grumbling is a visual invitation to win other stars in order to join a group night sleep. A theory is that the night together keeps the stars warmer when they share their body heat. It can also reduce the likelihood that a single bird is eaten overnight by a predator like an owl or a Marten.
This dilution effect could be part of the reason why murmurs occur: the more star in the herd, the lower the risk of a bird that is caught by a predator. Probiers are more likely to catch the next prey, so that the vertebrae of a murder can occur if individual birds try to move into the safer center of the crowd. Scientists call this the selfish herd effect.
Of course, the more birds in a herd, the more eyes and ears recognize the predator before it is too late.
And a gigantic mass of swirling, swirling birds can make it difficult to concentrate on a single goal. A falcon or falcon can be confused and distracted by tricky wave patterns in the movements of the murms. It must also be careful not to collide and be hurt with the herd.
Over 3,000 Citizen Scientists volunteers reported that murmins were seen in a recently carried out study. In a third of them, a raptor attacked the murms. This observation indicates that murmurs form to protect the birds from predators – but it is also possible that, for example, large murdering has primarily put on a falcon.
How do stars coordinate your behavior?
Murmins have no guide and do not follow a plan. Instead, scientists believe that movements are coordinated by stars who observe what others do around them. Birds in the middle can see through the herd on all sides to their edge and beyond. Somehow they pursue how the herd is moving overall and adapted accordingly.
To find out what happens within marbles, some researchers film them with many cameras at the same time. Then use computer programs to track the movements of individual stars and create 3D models of the herd.
The videos show that the birds are not as tight as they could appear out of the ground; There is room for maneuvering. Stars are closer to the neighbors than those in front of or behind it. Stars on the edge often deeper into the herd.
Mathematicians and computer scientists try to create virtual marbles by could follow birds in a herd – how to move in the same direction as their neighbor, stay nearby and not to collide. From these simulations it seems that each bird keeps an eye on seven neighbors and use what he does to adapt to prevent the grumbling from falling apart in a chaotic chaos. And all of this while they fly as soon as possible.
Large fish schools can behave like marbles, as can groups of some ravages, including honeybees. All of these synchronized movements can occur in herds, herds, raves and schools so quickly that some scientists once thought that an animal needed it!
Biologists, mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists and engineers are working to find out how animals run these displays. The curiosity naturally leads this research. However, it can also have practical applications, such as the development of autonomous vehicles that can work in close formation and in coordinated groups without colliding.
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This article will be released from the conversation, a non -profit, independent news organization that brings you facts and trustworthy analyzes to help you understand our complex world. It was written by: Tom Langen, Clarkson University
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Tom Langen does not work for a company or an organization that benefits from this article and have not published any relevant affiliations about their academic appointment.
