Why do geese, ducks, pelicans, and cranes fly in V-shaped formations during migration?

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A herd of wildebeest, including calves, moves across a dusty savanna in Africa with scattered trees visible in the background. — Migration A herd of common wildebeest (*Connochaetes taurinus*) migrating across a dusty savanna in Africa. The animal is a keystone species (i.e., a species with a disproportionately large effect on its biological community) in plains and acacia savanna ecosystems from southeastern Africa to central Kenya.

Many migratory birds, including geese, ducks, pelicans, and cranes, fly in a V-shaped formation to conserve energy during their long-distance journeys.1

By flying in the wake of another bird, members of the flock reduce the physical effort required to maintain flight. In some species, such as the northern bald ibis, individuals take turns leading the formation before dropping back to fly behind others, allowing them to benefit from the energy-saving position created by the leader. This cooperative behavior is a key aspect of the gregarious nature many birds exhibit during migration, even among species that are otherwise solitary.1