For a long time, it was commonly believed that the air currents created by the leader of a flock were beneficial for maintaining formation. However, simulations have shown that this “V-shaped” arrangement offers another advantage for long-distance flights. The findings of a study by researchers at Brown University have been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The scientists developed an aerodynamic model of the flight of northern bald ibises. This model helped them determine that a bird flying behind and slightly to the side of the leader expends 11% less mechanical energy. The mechanism works as follows: air vortices form at the tips of the leading bird’s wings. To the side of the leader, the airflow rises upward, helping the neighbor stay airborne. But the main advantage is not related to this additional lift.
It turns out that the wake reduces the effort required for forward movement, allowing the next bird to make flatter wingbeats. The amplitude of these movements ultimately decreases to about 70% of normal. This model can explain the mechanism that scientists had previously struggled to describe accurately. The authors of the study hope that the data obtained will help in the formation of drone swarms—for agricultural use or firefighting—so that energy savings allow them to stay airborne longer.
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