Dusk Drama: Starlings take flight in hypnotic harmony

Khalid Umar Malik
19 Jan 2025, 16:38 GMT+10

A photographer in Co Westmeath photographed a starling murmuration Wednesday evening.
Flocking together provides safety in numbers.
The precise coordination of these vast flocks continues to baffle scientists, who believe it relies on quick communication and alignment within groups of neighboring birds.

CO WESTMEATH, Ireland - A photographer in Co Westmeath photographed a starling murmuration Wednesday evening.

Local photographer John McCauley captured the captivating view at Lough Ennell, near Mullingar.

The mesmerizing spectacle, known as a murmuration, occurs at dusk, just before the birds rest.

These massive swarms reach their highest numbers in December and January when migrating starlings from as far away as Russia, Finland, and Estonia join resident birds.

Starling murmurations are considered to occur for several reasons.

Flocking together provides safety in numbers.

Predators like peregrine falcons struggle to target a single bird amid a hypnotizing swarm of thousands.

Birds also flock to stay warm at night and to share information, such as good feeding spots.

The precise coordination of these vast flocks continues to baffle scientists, who believe it relies on quick communication and alignment within groups of neighboring birds.

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