Wildlife observations: With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they...

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they fly in a large V formation. Typically, one “leg” of the V is longer than the other side. Does anyone know why that is?

charlykilo Loc: Garden Valley Ca

Something with the way leaders are replaced and drafting.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

The senior and strongest birds take turns leading the V. Those who are further in back, can get a partial free ride by drafting on the wake of the first bird. This is much the same if you were on a freeway and got up close behind a tractor trailer!

Junior birds are further back in the V and if they happened to fly in front of the leader, they are reprimanded in some fashion. I have never figured that out. When a junior bird does mistakenly fly in front, he immediately folds one wing, drops about six to ten feet and then opens that wing again which puts him back in proper formation. I have often watched them come back to a lake at lunch time and this is their procedure. Just Sayin...RJS

And Marvin Loc: Lawrence, Ks

OJdidit wrote:

With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they fly in a large V formation. Typically, one “leg” of the V is longer than the other side. Does anyone know why that is?

More ducks

Gordon Loc: Charleston South Carolina

OJdidit wrote:

With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they fly in a large V formation. Typically, one “leg” of the V is longer than the other side. Does anyone know why that is?

More birds on the longer side. LOL 😆.

Robert J Samples Loc: Round Rock, Texas

Yes, there are probably an odd number which would make one leg longer. I don't think lone leg of a V formations makes any difference since the air wave they are riding from the lead goose is still working. Just Sayin...RJS

Foodfisher Loc: SO. Cal coast

I'll guess the long leg is the downwind side of the v.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

This was explained once before here but my mind is mush and I don't remember why.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

Gordon wrote:

More birds on the longer side. LOL 😆.

Well Gordon, that is the simplest answer I have used for many years, but there is scientific reasoning behind the drag and lifting effect off the lead bird. I can go into more details later.
I got a few dates in the past with the “there are more birds on that side” answer, but also got a few laughs, groans and slaps depending on the audience. 😜

Nanook rubs it again Loc: Cape May Nj

OJdidit wrote:

With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they fly in a large V formation. Typically, one “leg” of the V is longer than the other side. Does anyone know why that is?

Geese can’t count 🤔

CoDen Loc: Little R, SC

OJdidit wrote:

With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they fly in a large V formation. Typically, one “leg” of the V is longer than the other side. Does anyone know why that is?

Because there are more Geese in the line. lol

Papabear65 Loc: Salem oregon

There are more birds on that side.

Charlie H Loc: Greer, Arizona

Illegal Immigreese? 🤔

No one special

OJdidit wrote:

With all of my time in the woods, or on the water I have noticed many things, or behaviors. For example, when you see a flock of Canadian geese migrating, they fly in a large V formation. Typically, one “leg” of the V is longer than the other side. Does anyone know why that is?

How do you know that the geese are really Canadian? Do they carry passports or honk with an accent?

Clappy Loc: Michigan

Kind of like a NASCAR race at Daytona or Talladega