If you have been driving around Madison and looked up to see what looks like a moving ink cloud in the sky you are not the only one.
People ask the same question every year... What are those birds and why are they doing that? Most of the time they are starlings and the swirling sky show is called a murmuration.
What is a murmuration?
A murmuration is when a large flock flies in a tight coordinated formation that changes shape constantly. The movement looks almost like one organism but it is actually thousands of birds responding to tiny changes from nearby birds.
Why do they swirl like that?
The most common explanation is predator defense.
When a hawk or falcon shows up the flock moves as one to confuse the predator and make it harder to target a single bird.
Why do we see it around Madison?
Starlings gather in big winter roosts and they often stage up in the late afternoon before settling down for the night. That staging is when you get the big sky patterns.
When is the best time to spot one?
Look for them late afternoon into sunset especially in late winter and early spring. If you see a flock start to grow it can turn into a full show in minutes.
How to watch it without turning it into a hassle...
1) Show up 20 to 30 minutes before sunset
2) Pick a wide open view so you can see the whole sky
3) Follow the flock’s direction of travel instead of standing directly under where they might roost
4) If you find a major roost spot do not park beneath it since dense roosts can mean droppings and noise
Did you know... Starlings are also talented mimics. Up close their songs can include borrowed sounds from other birds and even bits of human made noise.
Sources
All About Birds (Cornell Lab of Ornithology) on how murmurations work
Audubon on starling roosts and why murmurations captivate
All About Birds on living near a large starling roost
