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V-flying birds pick efficient flapping pattern

Timing is everything to catch a boost from a neighbor’s wing

FLYING FORMATION  Northern bald ibises from a captive breeding program offered flight researchers a chance to test the bird’s flapping strategies during migration.

Markus Unsöld

By Susan Milius

- More than 2 years ago

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A bird migrating with others in a V formation turns out to be a master of the well-timed flap, able to match the up-and-down path traced by the wing tip of the bird in front of it.