S07 → N400
The Spike of Fascinating & Unexpected
SPIKE 50
→ MURMURATION.
© 1. Jarlath Flynn — A murmuration in front of the Moon / 2. Mike Dabell — Murmuration of starlings / 3. Keystone / 4. & 5. Daniel Biber — Sant Pere Pescador in Catalonia, Spain (2016) / 6. Søren Solkær / 7. OUEST-FRANCE — Saint-Philibert, près d’Auray (Morbihan) / 8. Adobe Stock / 9. Alain Delorme — Murmuration #6 / 10. Matthieu Soudet — A murmuration of starlings in the south of Manche / 11. Shutterstock — The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) flying in big groups at sunset, Spain / 12. Marco Valk Nature & Wildlife Films — Starling murmuration film (2020).
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Murmurations typically occur during the birds’ migration or roosting periods as they gather in large numbers to feed, rest, or prepare for flight. The precise reasons behind murmurations are not fully understood, but they are believed to serve several purposes, including predator avoidance, social bonding, and communication. The synchronised movements of birds in murmurations are thought to be the result of simple rules of interaction between individual birds, such as maintaining a minimum distance from neighbouring birds and following the movement of nearby flock members. These interactions create a cascading effect, with each bird adjusting its flight path in response to the movements of those around it, leading to the mesmerising patterns observed in murmurations. Scientists have discovered that each bird in the flock coordinates its movements with its seven closest neighbours. This means that the incredible patterns in murmurations emerge from each bird following relatively simple rules of interaction with its immediate neighbours, resulting in complex collective behaviour at the flock level.
The concept of murmurations and the study of collective behaviour in starling flocks have been explored by various scientists over the years. However, one prominent figure in this field is Dr. Andrea Cavagna, an Italian physicist and researcher. Dr. Cavagna and his team have conducted extensive studies on starling murmurations, using mathematical models and high-resolution imaging to understand the underlying principles of collective behaviour in these flocks. Their work has shed light on the dynamics of murmurations and the rules governing the interactions between individual birds within the flock. In some cases, human activities can influence murmuration behaviour. For instance, artificial lights can sometimes attract or disorient flocks, leading them to gather in areas they might not usually frequent. In urban environments, starlings have been known to form murmurations around illuminated landmarks, creating stunning displays against cityscapes.
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→ Sourced from: SYSTEM 04 (Poutchka Patrol)
→ Stored online: N400 Spikes Repository
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→ Search log: Google images / Scale-free correlations in starling flocks
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