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5 things about murmurations you may not know

2 min read

Inspiring People
Source: BirdwatchIreland.ie

Murmurations of starlings are magical. Here are 5 things about them you probably didn’t know until today.

Stunning starling murmurations

There are many different words for a flock of birds and the one we associate with starlings is usually a ‘murmuration’. Here are 5 fascinating facts about them you might not know.

1. During the winter, starlings flock together forming murmurations, performing amazing aerobatic displays before reaching their favored area where they can roost communally. Source: BrightVibes.com
2. An average murmuration will number between 500-1,000 birds. Large murmurations can exceed 100,000! Source: Anna Toseney – Printmaker/BBC
They are called murmurations because if you get close enough to the flock, you can hear the subtle beating of their wings. Make sure to check out the website of this amazing nature photographer Daniel Bieber.
3. A murmur is a low rumbling sound. They are called murmurations because if you get close enough to the flock, you can hear the subtle beating of their wings.

Make sure to check out the website of this amazing nature photographer Daniel Bieber. Source: Daniel Biber/WorldPhoto

4. Birds plan out and practice their flying routines in advance. Source: David Kjaer/RSPB Images
They follow their cues and copy their movement, propagating a wave-like movement which pulses through the entire flock. Flocks help maintain the heat and also provide safety as predators find it hard to target individual birds.
5. Each starling tabs on its 7 closest neighbours and ignores all else. They follow their cues and copy their movement, propagating a wave-like movement which pulses through the entire flock. Flocks help maintain the heat and also provide safety as predators find it hard to target individual birds. Source: BirdSpot.co.uk
5 'secrets' about murmurations. Murmurations are magical. Here are 5 things about them you probably didn’t know. Till now. Source: Facebook/BrightVibes
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