Ducks and Geese Question

**ichi** · 04-03-2005, 04:47

When ducks and geese migrate they fly in a V formation. I've been told that this is to reduce wind resistance and improve efficiency.

But does anyone know why one side of the V is longer than the other one?

ichi

**Uesugi Kenshin** · 04-03-2005, 04:59

I don't know that is a great question. I know that the V also helps them rotate which bird is in front, maybe cutting the air for the rest. It would make sense if the most air resistance was at the front and all. Maybe there is the least on the longer end and the one which was just at the front goes back there when they switch out?

While we are talking about geese the plural of mongoose is spelled mongooses, I think it should be mongeeses though.

**IrishMike** · 04-03-2005, 06:24

Hmmm.... I don't know, but I have seen it over and over again. Mabey it has something to do with the direction the wind is blowing. Just my guess though.

**Kaiser of Arabia** · 04-03-2005, 06:32

or theyres an odd amount of geeses and deekes? (ducks)

**dessa14** · 04-03-2005, 06:37

because one side is flying faster then the other side

**Big_John** · 04-03-2005, 07:02

ducks and geese are chauvinistic species. only the drakes and ganders are allowed to fly on the windward side of the chevron (weaker females get the leeward side). since the males are larger, their side of the chevron will be longer, although the # of ducks on each side is close.

on a related note, i'm drunk.

or..
geometrically, depending on the wind direction and windspeed relative to the flight speed of the birds, it seems like there would situations where it'd make sense for the leeward side of the chevron to be longer than the windward side.