The Science Behind Starling Murmurations

By: EjazUlHaqBhat

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Murmurations are huge groups of starlings that twist, turn, swoop and swirl across the sky in beautiful shape-shifting clouds

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They start when small groups of starlings from the same area come together above a communal roosting site

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The group grows larger and moves in unison in an aerial dance

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These aerial displays are a way for starlings to stay safe and share information

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The large number of birds in a murmuration makes it hard for predators to target a single starling

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Starlings gather to keep warm at night and exchange information about good feeding areas

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The intricate formations of starlings confuse predators like hawks or falcons

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Starlings move around within the murmuration, avoiding being at the edge of the flock for too long

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