Migrating starlings put on dazzling show in southern Israel
A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
Until 20 years ago, starlings from Eastern Europe migrated to Israel for winter in their millions, but their numbers have dropped to flocks of between tens of thousands to a few hundred thousand.
Researchers have not yet identified the reason for the decline though the birds still put on a dazzling show in the Holy Land - twisting and turning at high speed, creating dramatic, sweeping patterns in the southern Israeli sky.
By grouping together, the starlings not only find safety in numbers but their changing movements and shifting collective shape confuse their would-be attackers.
FILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group over a field near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 6, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
(Reporting by Amir Cohen; Writing by Maayan Lubell; editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
FILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: A view of the Israeli-occupied West Bank is seen in the background as a murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group, as seen from Beit Kama, southern Israel December 29, 2019. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group over a field near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group over a field near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 2, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: A murmuration of migrating starlings fly in a group over a field near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 3, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenStarlings perch on power lines near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 1, 2020. Picture taken January 1, 2020. REUTERS/Amir CohenFILE PHOTO: Starlings perch on power lines near Kiryat Gat, southern Israel January 1, 2020. REUTERS/Amir Cohen
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