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geese or swans?

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bobtheduck | 11:33 Mon 27th Dec 2004 | Animals & Nature
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most mornings i see a flock of geese or swans flying overhead which are they? where are they going? and why do they fly in that v formation
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Unless you are fortunate enough to see the arrival of Whooper Swans, then it's probable that what you are seeing is Canada Geese. They are taking off from their evening roost to their feeding grounds.

You haven't given us much to go on so this is a pure guess, but depending where you live and the habitat they could also be Pink-feet, Bean, Brent, Greylag or the White-fronted Geese.

 

I found this as the reason for the 'V' formation.

  One is that it
indicates dominance in the group.  The lead birds are always
female.  Second the lead bird is creating a turbulance wave that actual
assists the birds behind it.  The further back you are in the formation,
the less energy you need in the flight.  Lead birds do rotate to keep
exhaustion from happening.  Computer models show that the V formation
allows for the best postioning to receive the boost from the air waves
created by the bird in front.

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geese or swans?

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