Even if you’ve never seen Alfred Hitchcock’s The Birds, you probably know the general premise: Unsuspecting humans are attacked by wave after apocalyptic wave of terrifying birds.
Well, for most of us, the classic film is practically science fiction. After all, who could be scared by somebody as adorable as these cutie pies?
Besides, birds are smart, funny, and much more affectionate than we give them credit for, especially this friendly goose! Even for people who are scared of them, the phobia tends to come from films like Hitchcock’s.
That said, there are a few nuggets of truth to be found in The Birds. For example, one thing that the movie definitely got right? The tendency of certain species of birds to group together in massive flocks that almost appear to be swarms.
While not all birds do this, this behavior is particularly characteristic of starlings — the raucous speckled birds found across Europe and North America. While it’s not always clear why they flock, they gather in massive numbers and are known for creating mesmerizing swirls through the air.
Starlings, like bees and schools of fish, seem to have tapped into some instinctual mathematical ability, allowing them to coordinate almost instantly in the air without ever communicating. The result is truly breathtaking. Check out the video below to see this phenomenon at work
And if you were stunned by this instinctive aerial ballet, please SHARE on Facebook to spread the word about these animals and their incredible ability!
