Reminded today about geese and their amazing flocking strategies. All seemingly based on simple rules, if you believe the boids simulations. Simple rules like: engaging, encouraging and pulling ones weight (or alignment, cohesion, and separation in Craig Reynolds’ algorithm).
- As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.
- Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
- When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
- The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
- When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they
launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.
