Week 14: 'The most amazing shapes!'

Wonderdate: 2011
Wondered into being by: Sophie Windsor Clive and Liberty Smith
Wonderspan: 2 min
To experience this wonder at its best: Click on the full screen icon and make sure you can hear the sound.

Two tourists canoeing down Ireland’s longest river, the Shannon, are surprised by a huge murmuration of starlings at the point of their migration.  A murmuration, so named for the wave-sound of the flock's beating wings as it lurches and swoops, can be up to a million birds strong.  A study (says the BBC) has found that the murmuration's movements are due to each starling independently following just three rules.  The first two – fly at the same speed and stay close to your neighbours – collects the birds into a ball.  The third – steer clear of objects, predators and potential threats – creates the swirling motion we see.  The study claims that each starling only needs to keep an eye on its seven nearest neighbours while following these rules – simple!

• http://vimeo.com/31158841

Thanks to Becky H for suggesting this one!  More about migrations later on in the year...