Thursday, February 27, 2014

Nova: VIDEO LINK; Millions of Starlings over Rome in Winter

EARTHFLIGHT
Video: Starling Aerial Acrobatics

Each winter evening, attracted by the heat of the city, 5 million starlings stream into Rome. Before the birds roost, their maneuvers create mesmerizing aerial displays. These flying formations help the starlings confuse an attacking peregrine falcon. To achieve synchronicity, each bird shadows seven of its nearest neighbors. Their reflexes react 10 times faster than any human pilot. Watch a scene from EARTHFLIGHT: Europe which airs Wednesday, September 18 at 8PM ET (check local listings). (Restricted to U.S. and Territories.)

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