Around this time of year, as temperatures dip in the Northern Hemisphere, European or common starlings put on a dazzling show. Most of the time, these noisy birds are scorned for their bullying behavior at the bird feeder. But in autumn months, they gather to roost in huge flocks, as they’re doing here in Blackpool, England. At dusk, the starlings take flight en masse and flock together in a hypnotizing, swirling cloud of fluttering wings. These flocks are called mumurations. They"re thought to help keep the birds warm while also acting as a defensive tactic to confuse predators like hawks and falcons. But maybe the raptors are rendered harmless simply because they’re awestruck by the starlings" synchronized spectacle.
Mesmerizing murmuration
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
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National Hug Day
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A hit ballet, long after its debut
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What’s blooming in New Zealand?
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Floating temples in the Land of Smiles
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Oh, the places you’ll go
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In Texas, even the riverbend is big
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What s going on in this sky?
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Meet our fuzzy Earth Day mascot
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In orbit for Yuri s Night
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Unearthing a queen s lost tale
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Mountain mists over Bavaria
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Just another day in paradise
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International Tiger Day
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Earth Day and National Park Week
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Here, fishy!
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Our Lady of the Rocks
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International Whale Shark Day
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National Roller Coaster Day
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Goodbye, 2020!
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Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park shines
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Working for that cliffside view
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World Book Day
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Glenfinnan Viaduct
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Short-eared owl
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It s truffle season here in the Dordogne Valley
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Hidden beauty in Thailand
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It s Tolkien Reading Day
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Taughannock Falls State Park
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There was gold in them there hills…
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Halfway Day