Why do birds fly in circles in groups?

Steve is correct. I'm also a birder. I assist in the HMANA raptor bird count annually. Pigeons are very adept fliers, but are no match for the claws and talons of hawks, falcons and eagles. When they are spooked by silhouettes of birds they perceive to be birds of prey. read more

I was watching a flock of pelicans fly this morning and they were doing that. They are riding thermals to gain altitude. I've seen flocks and individual birds do this too. read more

When they are spooked by silhouettes of birds they perceive to be birds of prey. They fly in a circular pattern swirling around to confuse the predator bird much the way small fish school to evade predatory fish and whales. read more