How do geese learn to fly in a wedge?

Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes: First, it conserves their ... In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. The authors of a 2001 ... Birdflight: An illustrated study of birds' aerial mastery. read more

I can’t seem to find a reference right now, but I recall reading some time ago that the geese are most likely not consciously trying to fly in a V. Rather, they just fall into formation at the point where they are experiencing the least amount of resistance and the greatest lift, and the physics is such that that means they end up in a V. read more

In this way, the geese can fly for a long time before they must stop for rest. The authors of a 2001 Nature article stated that pelicans that fly alone beat their wings more frequently and have higher heart rates than those that fly in formation. read more