This is bird note.

Snowgy's flocks are massive.

Snowgy's flocks are massive.

During migration, they gather in the tens of thousands and they

coordinate their movements with the skill of schooling fish or starlings

that turn together on a dime.

These snow geese are resting on the surface of the water. Then, the sight of a bald eagle spooks them,

and they all take flight simultaneously.

That big whoosh is the wings of a thousand snow geese beating together,

creating a rush of air like a passing freight train.

Here it is one more time.

As the tornado of geese wh in the air, their calls build to an enormous

crescendo. Like a school of fish swimming close together when there's a shark, these snow geese use their numbers to protect themselves.

Flying in a big compact flock, they make it harder for

a predator to pick off a single bird. It's a display of skill and grace that for a snow

goose is just a fact of life.

For Bird Note, I'm Ariana Rimmel.

Bird Note is grateful to Dr. Gordon O'Orians,

a co-founder of Bird Notes Science Advisory Council, for his generous ongoing support.