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Flocking
You may have seen a gaggle of geese, a kettle of hawks or a bevy of quail, otherwise known as flocks. Flocks are groups of birds who fly in a synchronized manner, maintaining a relatively constant distance between them. Birds benefit from flying with others who have made the journey before. They can also detect predators easier and locate food more efficiently.The examples below show line and compound line formations.

Echelon formation Skein formation
J formation V formation
W formation

Illustrations and text by LORI A. GALLO/Courier-Post
Sources: How Birds Migrate by Paul Kerlinger, Bird Migration by Chris Mead, Zoobooks by John Bonnett Wexo, Birding by Joseph Forshaw, Steve Howell, Terence Lindsay, Rich Stallcup