Starlings Flock (huge) in motion (Must see) Beautiful dance in the sky

This is an amazing rare video clip of a very large flick of Starlings dancing in the sky. Very artistic and fluid motion. located in Sacramento California.

I refer to the birds as blackbirds (generically) but they are actually European Starlings.


Recorded with a Nikon D90 and AF-S DX 18-200mm VR II lens.

Also referenced with some still pictures at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tofsrud/4170641701/

If you look closely in a few of these photos or videos, you'll see bird of pray. (possibly a Hawk or Eagle) This is the reason these starlings are freaking out. It's a defense mode they enter, similar to fish, when being attacked by a predator.


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Creative Commons, Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.0 Generic

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Blackbird
• Starling
• flock
• swarm
• one million birds
• artistic
• fluid
• beautiful
• graceful
• rare
• bird
• fly
• amazing
• Nikon D90
• D90
• 720p
• Beautiful dance in the sky
• beautiful bird formations

[eamonn2311]

study flight of birds ??? what do you think they represent?

[eamonn2311]

a lot of people go main stream dont look at creations like this sorry it took me so long to find

[eamonn2311]

brill omg get that camera out more often.Eamonn Ireland.

[JeffSavin]

Unbelievable!!!

This positive feedback was posted through RaterBug.

[eyesatyou]

@freeflyingstar Experts still aren't sure why Starlings behave like this and it will probably remain a mystery for some while yet. Experts suggest that they are moving for 'social position' before coming down to roost, probably for prime roosting spots or even warming their bodies for the cold evening ahead. The murmuration does provide protection, but to suggest they are 'fighting for their lives' every time they do this is being, shall we say a little dramatic.

[delilah7777]

I saw this tonight about 30 miles north of Santa Rosa, people were so blown away by it, they were pulled off on the side of the road taking pictures. It looked like nothing I'd ever seen :)

[Trooper35i]

Still a cool as video

[freeflyingstar]

@tgggffd6gggggg thank you, it was a typo.

[tgggffd6gggggg]

@freeflyingstar Not a mumuration. When in a group they are called a murmuration.

[freeflyingstar]

Not a flock. When in a group they are called a mumuration of starlings. It may look like dancing, graceful and artistic to us, but the reality is they are fighting for their lives. This formation flying is in response to a predator in their midst and if you look closely at any of this type of footage you will likely spot the bird of prey looking for his lunch. Fish in the ocean also use this type of defense.