A murmuration is a captivating natural spectacle where thousands of birds move as one, twisting and turning in the sky. Often observed at dusk, this phenomenon, known as a murmuration, transforms the ordinary flight of birds into an extraordinary display of collective behavior.
What is a Murmuration?
A murmuration is a highly synchronized aerial display performed by groups of starlings. These birds create dense, fluid, and ever-changing shapes in the sky, often resembling swirling clouds. The term originates from the soft, low murmuring sound produced by their beating wings and calls. Typically occurring around sunset, starlings gather near communal roosting sites before settling for the night.
This behavior differs from typical bird flocking, involving a remarkable level of coordination where the entire group moves as a single entity. Starlings maintain close proximity, exhibiting rapid changes in direction and speed. This synchronized movement is a hallmark of a murmuration, occurring without any apparent leader.
The Scale of a Murmuration: How Many Starlings?
The number of starlings in a murmuration can vary significantly, ranging from a few hundred to thousands, and in some cases, even hundreds of thousands or over a million birds. While exact counts are impossible, estimates suggest that many murmurations involve tens of thousands. For instance, some of the largest gatherings in the UK can reach up to 100,000 birds, and in Denmark, ‘Sort Sol’ (Black Sun) has involved over a million starlings.
Several factors influence the size of these congregations. Murmurations are larger during colder months, typically from October to March, with peak numbers in December and January. This increase is partly due to migratory starlings joining resident populations. The availability of suitable communal roosting sites also attracts large numbers of birds.
Unraveling the Murmuration Mystery
Starlings achieve synchronized movements by following simple, localized rules, not a single leader. Each starling primarily responds to the movements of its immediate neighbors, typically coordinating with about seven closest birds. This localized interaction allows changes in direction or speed to ripple rapidly through the flock, creating fluid, shape-shifting patterns.
The primary advantage of murmurations is protection from predators, such as peregrine falcons. The flock’s size and unpredictable movement confuse predators, making it difficult to single out a bird. This “safety in numbers” strategy reduces individual risk.
Beyond predator evasion, murmurations serve other important functions. The collective gathering allows starlings to share information about good feeding areas or optimal roosting sites. Huddling together in large groups at night also provides warmth, especially during cold winter months, as the combined body heat of thousands of birds can raise the ambient temperature of the roost. These benefits contribute to the survival and well-being of starlings.