Not sure I get this.

[Hunter58]

We all like to watch ducks fly in formation, it seems they really got it all together.

I took a few shots of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks flying by this morning at Circle B Bar Reserve. Looking at this first one something struck me as strange about it. I see one of the ducks legs kind of flailing.

So I take a look at the next shot, and sure enough we have a problem in mid-flight

At first I thought, man that duck needs some flying lessons before being let out with the group. However upon closer inspection I noticed the crashers legs are pink which would indicate this is an adult BBWD. So what is this all about? A mid-air flogging or wasn't this young one going fast enough???

 

[Designer]

Adult, maybe, but "special needs"?

 

[BillM]

Failed attempt to join the mile high club ???

 

[baturn]

Weird.......

 

[photoguy99]

It might have been a failed attempt at reshuffling the V. Possibly a former lead bird trying to slot in further back missed a gap.

The crashing bird does seem to be descending into the formation. Not sure how the shuffling works, to be honest. Do they drop and then rise into their new position,
or do they go up and then drop in?

 

[snerd]

You DO know why they fly in a V formation, don't you?


Cause it's too damn hard to make a W!!!!!!




..............

 

[Designer]

Oh, but I've seen some "W"s.

 

[astroNikon]

That one bird on top seems to have some pretty sharp talons on it.
Are you sue it was another duck joining the group ?

 

[Gary A.]

Ducks will use their legs sorta like flaps. This duck was adjusting its flight, for whatever reason, (looking for a more efficient spot, maybe going too fast ... whatever), and slams into its buddy.

 

[480sparky77 76]

He got caught up in the jet wash.... simple as that.

 

[Actinia]

Speaking as an academic zoologist (retired), I think that the replies are on the right lines. The ducks behind the leader gain an advantage from their position just behind the wingtip vortex of the one in front. Every so often the leader will fall back and another will take its place. Others will re-shuffle their position. As Gary A suggests, they do use their feet as flaps. My guess is that this is an attempted reshuffling of position.

Quite apart from any ornithological speculation, these are incredible photos. Congratulations to Hunter58 on getting them!

 

[MichaelHenson]

You DO know why they fly in a V formation, don't you?


Cause it's too damn hard to make a W!!!!!!




..............

Well, you know why one side of the V is always longer than the other, right?

Because there are more ducks on that side...

 

[Hunter58]

Thanks everyone for the comments. Sure was interesting.

 

[dannylightning]

maybe it was hitching a ride lol