Many, if not most, birds migrate in flocks. For larger birds, flying in flocks reduces the energy cost. Geese in a V-formation may conserve 12–20% of the energy they would need to fly alone. Red knots Calidris canutus and dunlins Calidris alpina were found in radar studies to fly 5 km/h (3.1 mph) faster in flocks than when they were flying alone. COUNT 5
QSN1 How do most birds migrate? ANS1 in flocks QSN2 How much energy do geese conserve flying in a flock? ANS2 12–20% QSN3 How much faster do Red knots and dunlins fly in a flock? ANS3 3.1 mph QSN4 What does flying in flocks reduce? ANS4 energy cost QSN5 How do birds conserve energy? ANS5 a V-formation