Yes, I know a lot of people ask this question. So let me say upfront I have read and I do understand the basic answers – it’s easier to fly just above and to the side of the bird in front of you. And the lead bird only takes the lead temporarily. So I’ve got all that.
But what intrigues me is, how does a goose know to fly to the left of the bird in front if on the left side of the V, and to the right of the bird in front of it if it happens to be flying on the right side of the V?
✅ Answers
Then the flock would naturally default to that shape if the aggregate birds were smart enough to notice that this position uses less energy than that position in the flock. Then, over time, the leader would tire (the point bird is doing the most work) and fall back, incidentally slotting another into point. And so the flock would rotate that position thru-out the multi-thousand mile flight.
Or God programmed this into their instincts, along with mating and eating. Your choice.