I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed this phenomenon before, but I even knew what it’s called. It took place when I walked my loop Friday, right here in the suburbs.
Starlings were flocking in neighborhood trees earlier this morning, but here was a whole flock of them in an aerial dance right ahead of me, swooping and looping back on themselves, undulating.
This will give you the idea.
I learned about it when I wrote the story of Dale Wilson earning money for his senior year during the Great Depression when there was a bounty on the pests.
Story also in Leora’s Dexter Stories: The Scarcity Years of the Great Depression.
From The Wandering Voice by GardenBird, “The beautiful sight of them flocking and flying in perfect formation is something you don’t forget in a hurry once you’ve seen it, but arguably, the most interesting fact about murmuration is that starlings are the only species of birds who do it.”
It is quite a wonder. Thery don’t run into each other. Our plane, train and auto technology has a long way to go to even come close
I wonder how they communicate!
Good point about our train and auto technology, Gary!
I’ve only recently become aware of the starling murmuration phenomenon. It really must be something to see in person!
People driving along must have wondered why I was standing still, watching the sky. I was awestruck!
I would have done the same thing!
I’ve never heard of a mumration. Amazing how they do that.
I can’t believe I finally got to witness it, after all these years!
What a sight to behold, Joy. Thank you for sharing the video. Other-worldly and magnificent. Much love to you today! 🥰
To you as well, Vicki! I’m still amazed at getting to observe it in person!
I can’t imagine! I’m going to show the video to hubby Paul because it might be similar to an encounter he tried to describe to me. 🥰❤️🥰
Starlings are wonderful to behold.
I certainly don’t like their “singing”!
I am no big fan of starlings, in general, but would love to see a mumuration in person. Lucky you!
Even their “songs” are horrid!
I have seen a good number of murmurations. They really are not that rare. Eerie, yes, but also scary, at least to predators of starlings. I think that is their goal, much like smaller fish in the sea. Thanks, Joy.
Surely they aren’t rare in Iowa either, but it took 79 1/2 years for me to encounter my first one!
It must be great to see in person. I’ve only had the pleasure seeing it on TV.
My cousin in NC says he’s seen several! If I hear their shriekings in neighborhood trees, I’m going to keep an eye out for another one! Mesmerizing.
Flocks of starlings are an amazing display of the wonders of nature.
And they’re the only ones who have this wonderful choreography!
Wow – how amazing!
Wow! I watched the video…just amazing!
The only birds that murmurate! (New word for me)
I wonder if the murmuration of starlings gave Alfred Hitchcock the idea for his movie “The Birds.” That is quite the phenomenon. It would be quite scary to be underneath the starling cloud!
Hmm, maybe. Here’s what I learned: Some of the “crows” were actually ravens. The gulls were caught in the San Francisco garbage dump and the sparrows were caught by John “Bud” Cardos. However, the captured sparrows had to be used alongside birds from pet shops to achieve full effect in the scene where they invade the house. Wow!
Very interesting! Now special effects are computer generated. I think I’ll watch that movie again. Thanks for the knowledge tidbits, Joy! 🙂