The aerial ballet has been taking place almost every night for the past month. My wife and I have stood silently in our backyard, overlooking Morgan Creek, and marveled as thousands of blackbirds soar, dive, and twist in a series of breathtaking and mysterious patterns. Tightly packed together, their combined mass creates an impressive force. WOOOOSH! WOOOOSH! Each time a flock buzzes overhead, it’s like a wave crashing on top of you. Rather than drops of water, this wave is made up of thousands of black birds pumping their tiny wings in perfect unison.
The phenomenon is known as a murmuration. If you’re a Facebook fan of The Spy (clever plug, eh?) than you may have seen this video (insert link https://vimeo.com/31158841), which we posted last month. The dramatic display in the video from Ireland became an online hit, having been viewed by nearly 18 million people.
Scientists aren’t sure exactly why the birds display this behavior, although it tends to happen in the wintertime, just before dusk. One theory posits that the aerobatics are a complex survival technique. Much like a school of small fish, the birds band together for “safety in numbers.” But why does the group splinter, reform, and dart about in seemingly random patterns? It could be that they are looking for a place to land. No bird wants to be the first to touch down. Their zig-zags are like a midair game of chicken, before they finally settle on a suitable clump of marsh grasses; amongst which they’ll spend the night.
But that’s just one theory. Not only are we unsure of why they do it. We don’t even know how they do it. Algorithms powerful enough to make Stephen Hawking’s head split can’t predict the patterns produced each night by the bedtime routine of these birds.
I guess that’s one of the things I like best about nature. This is the age of technology and information, when you can “google” almost anything and read more than you ever cared to know about it. And suddenly thousands of blackbirds show up in your backyard and put on a show that fills you with awe and wonder.
Melinda Bookwalter says
Hey John, meant to comment on this when first it came on. Great video and I learned a new word! It took me to your other videos which were delightful. Bonus looks like he (oops, she??) is fitting in quite nicely. Keep the pics and articles coming.
Kim Holland says
Lovely piece, one I have witnessed myself when I lived on the creek that was once known as (and will always be to me) Morgnec Creek. It ran under the Morgnec Bridge that was part of Morgnec Rd. Does anyone know why the name was changed? Maybe “Morgnec Creek was not gentrified enough for newcomers? I’ve, unfortunately, been away from my hometown for awhile so I don’t know.
John says
Kim,
I’m not sure when the name was changed. The road is still called Morgnec Road. I recently heard of an old-timer who has always referred to this waterway as Iron Bridge Creek. I love that name!
-John