One of the coolest things found in nature is birds flying in a V pattern, right? Or other species, say dolphins, leaping out of the water in formation. Scientists believe they have more confirmation now for a popular theory: such “aggregations” reduce energy expenditure and enhance performance.

In the newest journal “Nature,” researchers show northern bald ibises flying in V flock formation, capturing the aerodynamic benefits of coordinating with their cohort. (Or, as scientists put it, “flapping spatially in phase and thus enabling upwash capture to be maximized throughout the entire flap cycle.”)

You can read more about the study here.

Rebecca Webb
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