Ahmedabad study links starling murmuration shapes to predator threat

Rosy starlings are birds that fly together in huge groups.

When they fly in swirling, changing patterns, it is called a murmuration.

Scientists at Ahmedabad University in India watched these birds for 28 days.

They wanted to learn why the flocks change shape.

They found that when a predator bird, like a black kite, comes close, the flock changes shape.

The birds form a long, pointy shape called 'Small Road' that may help them fly faster to escape.

When no predator is near, the birds mostly make small oval shapes.

The scientists watched 3,023 flocks and recorded 181 times when a predator was nearby.

This study helps us understand how birds work together as a group.