25 Birds that Fly in Flocks (A to Z List with Pictures)

Examples of birds that fly in flocks include the common blackbird, common starling, coots, cormorants, and cranes.

Birds that fly in flocks can be seen flying together in formation. These birds use teamwork to navigate and stay safe while in the air. There are many different types of birds that fly in flocks, including ducks, geese, pelicans, and more. By flying in a flock, these birds can conserve energy and better avoid predators. In addition, flying in a flock can help birds communicate with one another and share important information.

Examples of Birds that Fly in Flocks

1. Common Blackbird

The Common Blackbird is a species of true thrush. The adult male has black plumage, yellow eyes, and a yellow bill. It can be found in woodlands, gardens, and parks across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. The adult female is mostly brown with a white belly. Common Blackbirds are often seen in flocks and can sometimes be found feeding with other thrushes.

2. Common Starling

The Common Starling is a small blackbird that is often seen in flocks. These birds are known for their ability to mimic the sounds of other animals, including humans. Common Starlings are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

3. Coots

These waterbirds are often found swimming in ponds and lakes. Coots typically travel in pairs or small groups. However, during the winter months, coots may join forces with other species of birds to form large flocks. By doing so, coots can better protect themselves from predators and find food more easily.

4. Cormorants

Cormorants are a type of bird that often flies in flocks. These birds are known for their long necks and webbed feet, which help them swim underwater. Cormorants use teamwork to hunt fish, as they will sometimes work together to drive fish into shallower water where they can be more easily caught.

In addition, cormorants will often perch on rocks together in groups. By doing this, they can better scan the area for potential predators or prey.

5. Cranes

Cranes are a type of bird that often flies in flocks. These tall birds are known for their long necks and legs. Cranes typically live in wetland habitats so they can easily find food. When flying in a flock, cranes will often take turns leading the way. This helps the group stay together and makes it easier for them to find a safe place to land.

6. Crossbill

The crossbill is a type of finch that has a unique crossed bill. The crossed bill helps the crossbill eat seeds from pine cones. Crossbills are found in North America and Europe. These birds usually travel in flocks and can often be seen flying together in formation.

7. Flamingos

Flamingos are a type of bird that often flies in flocks. These birds are known for their long necks and legs, as well as their pink feathers. Flamingos live in warm climates and can be found in Africa, Asia, and parts of the Americas.

When flying in a flock, flamingos will often fly in a V-shaped formation. This allows the birds to take advantage of the wind and save energy.

8. Geese

Geese are known for flying in large flocks, which can sometimes number in the thousands. These birds migrate long distances each year, and flying in a flock helps them to stay together and navigate.

In addition, by flying in formation, geese can reduce wind resistance and save energy. When migrating, geese often take turns leading the flock, as this can be a tiresome task.

9. Godwits

The godwits are a family of birds that includes the curlews, dowitchers, and whimbrels. These birds are known for their long bills, which they use to probe the mud for food. Godwits are found in many different parts of the world, including Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.

Godwits are strong flyers and often travel in flocks. In fact, the bar-tailed godwit holds the record for the longest non-stop flight of any bird.

10. Gulls

Gulls are a type of bird that is commonly seen flying in flocks. These birds can be found near coasts and on lakes. Gulls typically eat fish, but they will also eat other foods such as insects, small mammals, and scraps of food

11. Ibises

Ibises are a type of bird that commonly flies in flocks. These birds are known for their long necks and curved beaks, which they use to wade through water in search of food.

Ibises typically live in wetlands and can be found in many different parts of the world, including Africa, Asia, and the Americas. When flying in a flock, ibises will often form a V-shaped formation. This formation helps the birds save energy and stay together as a group.

12. Loons

These water birds are known for their distinctive calls. Loons typically fly alone or in pairs, but they will sometimes form small flocks. During migration, loons may join together in large flocks of hundreds or even thousands of birds.

13. Northern Lapwing

The Northern lapwing is a wading bird that can be found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. This bird is known for its distinctive black-and-white plumage, as well as its long, curved beak. Lapwings are often found in open habitats such as grasslands, meadows, and marshlands. These birds typically travel in flocks of 20 to 30 individuals.

14. Pelicans

Pelicans are large birds that can be found flying in flocks near bodies of water. These birds use their long beaks to scoop up fish from the water. Pelicans are known for their aerial display, which involves them flying in formation and then diving into the water to catch fish.

15. Pigeons

Pigeons are a type of bird that is often seen flying in flocks. Pigeons are known for their ability to fly long distances and navigate using the earth’s magnetic field. Pigeons use flocking behavior to stay safe from predators and to communicate with other pigeons.

16. Robins

Robins are one of the most popular birds in North America, and they are often seen flying in flocks. These birds are known for their reddish-brown breast, and they typically eat insects and fruits.

Robins use teamwork to forage for food and to stay safe from predators. By flying in a flock, robins can communicate with one another and share important information.

17. Sandhill

The sandhill crane is a large bird that can be found flying in flocks across North America. These birds are known for their long necks and legs, as well as their distinctive call. Sandhill cranes typically mate for life and can live to be over 20 years old.

In addition to flying in flocks, sandhill cranes also engage in a behavior known as “dancing.” This courtship ritual involves the birds dancing together, often with one bird bowing and the other shaking its head and tail.

18. Starling

Starlings are small to medium-sized birds that are found in Europe, Asia, and Africa. There are many different species of starlings, including the common starling, the red-winged starling, and the white-eyed starling.

Starlings typically fly in large flocks of up to 100 or more birds. These flocks can be seen flying in formation as the birds work together to find food and avoid predators.

19. Storks

Each year, storks migrate to Africa to escape the cold weather in Europe. During their migration, storks fly in large flocks that can sometimes be seen from the ground. These flocks help the storks navigate and stay safe during their long journey. In addition, flying in a flock allows the storks to conserve energy and better avoid predators.

20. Sturnus

The Sturnus is a small to medium-sized passerine bird in the genus starling. Native to much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa, it has also made a permanent home in parts of Australia, New Zealand, and North America.

21. Swan

Swan is a large bird that is known for its long neck and beautiful white feathers. Swan typically flies in flocks, which help them stay safe from predators and navigate their way through the air. In addition, flying in a flock allows swans to communicate with one another.

22. Teal

A teal duck is a type of waterfowl that can be found flying in flocks. These ducks are known for their beautiful blue and green feathers. Teal ducks are often seen flying in formation with other ducks.

23. Terns

Terns are a type of seabird that typically flies in large flocks. Terns are known for their long, narrow wings which help them to cover great distances while flying. These birds use teamwork to hunt for fish and other food in the water. Terns often form large breeding colonies where they can raise their young together.

24. Waterfowl

Ducks, geese, and swans are all types of waterfowl. These birds spend most of their time in the water, but they can also fly long distances. Waterfowl typically fly in V-shaped formations, with the lead bird taking the brunt of the wind resistance. This allows the other birds to conserve energy and fly for longer periods of time.

25. Waxwing

The Waxwing is a medium-sized songbird with a body length of around 5-6 inches. These birds have reddish-brown plumage and a white belly. They get their name from the waxy red tips on their wing feathers. Waxwings are social birds that often live in flocks.

Conclusion

Birds that typically travel in flocks include ducks, cranes, cormorants, coots, pigeons, Common Starlings, House Sparrows, and European Robins. These birds benefit from being in a flock as it helps them to better protect themselves from predators and find food. In addition, flying in formation can help a flock of birds to stay together and make it easier for them to find a safe place to land.

Garreth

Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.