Murmuration- Whats that ?

 

Murmuration

Murmuration ? what’s that? & what’s it got to do with me?

A mesmerising spectacle, known as a murmuration, occurs when thousands of starlings shift and merge in the sky. Up to 750,000 birds participate in this breath-taking aerial ballet, constantly altering their formations, from teardrops and figure-of-eights to columns and other shapes. They move swiftly, reaching speeds of up to 80 kilometres per hour.

Unlike typical bird flocks, such as those formed by migrating geese, murmurations do not offer any aerodynamic advantages. Scientists speculate that murmurations serve as visual invitations to attract other starlings to join a communal roost at night. This gathering may help the birds conserve warmth by sharing body heat and reduce the risk of individual birds falling prey to nocturnal predators like owls or martens. This phenomenon, known as the selfish herd effect, suggests that starlings cluster together to minimise the chance of being targeted by a predator.

Furthermore, a large murmuration provides more sensory input, with numerous eyes and ears detecting potential threats before they become dangerous. The intricate, ever-changing patterns of a murmuration can confuse and deter predators, such as falcons or hawks, from attacking. However, it's worth noting that some observations suggest that the presence of a massive murmuration could attract predators in the first place.

The coordination within murmurations is spontaneous and leaderless. Starlings appear to synchronise their movements by observing and reacting to their neighbours. Birds in the middle of the flock have a comprehensive view of its entire structure, allowing them to adjust their flight accordingly. Researchers use high-speed cameras and computer programs to track individual starlings and create 3D models of murmurations, shedding light on their inner workings.

In recent experiments, mathematical models have been developed to simulate the behaviour of murmurations, focusing on self-organised changes of direction rather than responses to external stimuli. These models emphasise the absence of a designated leader among the starlings, highlighting that any bird can initiate a turn.

How do starlings coordinate their behaviour?

Murmurations have no leader and follow no plan. Instead, scientists believe movements are coordinated by starlings observing what others around them are doing. Birds in the middle can see through the flock on all sides to its edge and beyond. Somehow they keep track of how the flock is moving as a whole and adjust accordingly. 

Contrary to appearances, individual starlings within a murmuration maintain some separation. Videos reveal that the birds have more space between them than it seems from the ground, with starlings keeping closer proximity to their lateral neighbours than those in front or behind them. Starlings on the periphery often move deeper into the flock.

‘Flight of the Starlings’ by Jan van IJken was shot in the Netherlands; the audio lets you hear how a murmuration gets its name.

The phenomenon of murmurations is not unique to starlings. Large schools of fish, as well as swarming insects like honeybees, display similar synchronised behaviours. Understanding these coordinated movements has captured the interest of biologists, mathematicians, physicists, computer scientists, and engineers. This research is driven by both curiosity and potential practical applications, such as improving group coordination and developing autonomous vehicles capable of tight formation travel.

Inspired by the harmony and efficiency of murmurations, organisations can draw valuable lessons for their own structures and operations. These include respecting and utilising individual strengths, adapting swiftly to changing circumstances, fostering collective decision-making, enhancing communication, aligning goals, building resilience, and embracing emergent behaviour. By applying these principles, organisations can create dynamic, responsive, and harmonious workplaces where each member contributes to the collective success, much like birds in flight.