Even if birds don't take part in a murmuration, they might flock together in smaller groups.The mystery of the murmuration is a fascinating example of a natural phenomenon that hides secrets about the world that scientists have still yet to uncover!ĭid today's Wonder of the Day take you to new heights? We hope so! Keep soaring with a friend or family member as you check out one or more of the following activities: This phenomenon puzzles scientists, because it goes beyond what we know from biology about how animals behave. Regardless of the size of the murmuration, all the birds seem to be connected to the same network. What scientists still don't understand, though, is how hundreds or thousands of starlings seem to know when to turn simultaneously, when birds at opposite ends of the flock are separated by space and hundreds or thousands of other birds.
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It's easy to understand how one starling knows to turn when its neighbor turns, since they're close together and can see each other. As shown in today's video, when a murmuration turns in unison, scientists believe it's like a phase transition. Like the elements of these other systems, each starling in a murmuration is connected to every other starling. These systems are “on the edge," which means they're ready to be completely transformed in an instant.
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Scientists believe murmurations are similar to other systems, such as crystals forming, avalanches, metals becoming magnetized and liquids turning to gases. However, scientists now believe they may be able to describe murmurations using the principles of physics. Scientists have been surprised to learn that the flying patterns of murmurations have more in common with physics than biology. Recently, they have started to use cameras and computers to understand the mystery of murmurations. However, starlings don't plan or practice their flight patterns.įor years, scientists have WONDERed about murmurations. How do hundreds or even thousands of birds coordinate such complicated movement while in flight?ĭo the birds plan out and practice their flying routines in advance? That's what we humans would have to do if we were to look that graceful. They twist and turn and change direction at a moment's notice. You can search online for “ murmuration" videos to see for yourself how incredible these large flocks of birds can be.Īs they fly, the starlings in a murmuration seem to be connected together. Luckily, a few murmurations have been caught on video. Seeing hundreds - even thousands - of starlings flying together in a whirling, ever-changing pattern is a phenomenon of nature that amazes and delights those lucky enough to witness it. Have you ever seen a murmuration? If you have, you would know it. But what do you call that flock when the birds of a feather are starlings? Give up? It's called a murmuration. In this case, you're best off placing the starling chick inside a cardboard box that has been lined with paper towels, and then contact your local wildlife authority or professional.Wonder Friends already know that birds of a feather flock together. If the young starling nestling appears injured or sick, then it's not best to put it back in the nest, as it may have been rejected. Starlings (and all birds) tend to have pretty bad senses of smell and will not reject their chicks if humans have handled them. It's a common misconception that if you put a baby bird back in the nest, that parents will reject it. If you establish that it is a starling nestling and that it looks healthy, then you're the best bet is to see if you can locate the nest and put it back in there when the parent is not around, with as little disturbance as possible. Nestling starlings are easy to identify as they will have fewer feathers or none at all. Such as if they are near or on the road or pets that could easily get the young starling. The only time to intervene with a fledgling is if there is any nearby threats or danger. It's best to keep a close eye from afar, as the parents are usually nearby in a tree keeping watch.
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It's not uncommon for recently fledged birds to spend a day or two on the ground until their flight feathers fully develop. If the starling is a fledgling, then it should be ok to be left alone. The first thing to do when you find a baby starling is to establish whether it is a nestling or fledgling, as this will determine if you need to intervene or not. What do you do if you find a baby starling?