By spreading out in a V, with each trailing bird slightly higher and farther behind than the one in front, the geese may be able to keep track of one another in flight. But the most intriguing explanation may be the most practical. The skein creates an aerodynamic shape that saves energy. Still, actual geese in flight don't often stay in the optimal slot, so the energy savings might not be that dramatic, according to biologists. They have a little head flip when they're going to go.
Wild City is an occasional feature about nature in and around Alaska's largest city.
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