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ANSWERS: 4
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No. Other types of birds do it as well. "Scientists have given a clear demonstration of why birds fly in a "V" formation. It is something the animals do because it reduces energy expenditure, helping large birds to migrate in groups. They found that the birds' heart rate went down when they were flying together and they were able to glide more often. The whole flock adds at least 70-80% greater flying range than each bird flying solo The energy saving may be crucial for migrating birds, which spend thousands of kilometres on the wing" Sources: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/1608251.stm http://www.everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1482972
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It is kind of like a car drafting behind another vehicle. Saves energy by making it easier to fly.
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They do it to reduce wind drag- it's easy for the birds in the front to fly because the airway has already been "cut" as it were by the birds up front. The V rotates birds to make sure they all do their part and have ample time to "coast".
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"A V formation (sometimes called a skein) is the symmetric V-shaped flight formation of flights of geese, ducks and other migratory birds. V formations are also used on military flight missions." "Flying in a V formation aids the birds in covering long distances efficiently. All birds except the first one are flying in the upwash from the wingtip vortices of the bird ahead. The birds in the formation takes turns flying first. A little upwash assists the bird to support its own weight in flight in the same way as a glider can climb, or maintain height indefinitely, in rising air. Energy efficiency can be as much as doubled by flying in a V formation. The birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion so as to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members. The formation also facilitates communication and allows the birds to maintain visual contact with each other." Source and further information: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_formation
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