No, Starlings Are Not the Only Birds That Murmurate

No, starlings are not the only birds that murmuration—while European starlings (Sturnus vulgaris) are the most famous for their mesmerizing aerial displays, they are far from the only species to engage in this synchronized flocking behavior. The term 'murmuration' has become closely associated with starlings due to the scale and visual drama of their swarms, especially at dusk in temperate regions. However, the phenomenon of coordinated group flight, often referred to as murmuration in popular culture, is observed across several bird species worldwide. Understanding which birds perform murmurations, why they do it, and where you can witness such events offers both biological insight and practical value for birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts.

What Is a Murmuration?

The word murmuration traditionally refers to the collective noun for a flock of starlings, but in modern usage—especially in media and among birdwatching communities—it describes the dynamic, swirling flight patterns exhibited by large groups of birds moving in near-perfect unison. These movements create fluid, shape-shifting clouds in the sky, often evading predators through rapid, coordinated turns.

Biologically, this behavior is a form of anti-predator adaptation, leveraging safety in numbers and confusion effects. While starlings remain the poster child for murmurations, similar behaviors have been documented in various avian taxa, including blackbirds, grackles, crows, and even some seabirds.

Bird Species Known for Murmuration-Like Behavior

Though 'murmuration' is most commonly linked to starlings, several other bird species exhibit comparable flocking dynamics. Below is a list of non-starling birds known for large-scale, synchronized flight:

• Red-winged Blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus): In North America, especially during migration and winter roosting, red-winged blackbirds form massive flocks that display murmuration-like movements. These aggregations can number in the tens of thousands and are frequently seen over wetlands and agricultural fields.
• Common Grackles (Quiscalus quiscula): Often found alongside blackbirds, grackles also participate in mixed-species flocks that perform sweeping aerial maneuvers. Their iridescent plumage adds a shimmering effect visible under sunlight, enhancing the visual impact of their collective motion.
• Brown-headed Cowbirds (Molothrus ater): Though less studied, cowbirds join multi-species flocks and contribute to coordinated movements, particularly when leaving or approaching communal roosts.
• Rooks and Jackdaws (Corvus frugilegus, Coloeus monedula): In Europe and parts of Asia, these corvids gather in large numbers before dusk and perform swirling flights around traditional roost sites. While not as tightly synchronized as starling murmurations, their group dynamics share key features.
• Shearwaters and Petrels: Some pelagic seabirds return to nesting colonies in vast, undulating groups at dawn or dusk, creating murmuration-like effects over coastal cliffs. These are less predictable and harder to observe but represent natural analogs in marine environments.
• Quelea Quelea (Red-billed Quelea): Found in sub-Saharan Africa, these small weaver birds form some of the largest bird flocks on Earth—sometimes exceeding millions of individuals. Their movements, while more chaotic than those of starlings, still involve wave-like patterns that serve to confuse raptors.

Why Do Birds Murmur? The Science Behind Synchronized Flight

Murmuration behavior serves multiple ecological functions. Scientists studying collective animal behavior use terms like flocking, swarming, and herding interchangeably depending on context. Key reasons birds engage in murmuration include:

1. Predator Avoidance: One of the primary drivers is protection from aerial predators such as peregrine falcons, hawks, and owls. By flying in tight, unpredictable formations, individual birds reduce their risk of being targeted. This is known as the 'dilution effect' and 'confusion effect.'
2. Thermoregulation and Roosting Efficiency: Large flocks conserve heat and improve survival during cold nights. Approaching the roost in coordinated fashion may help synchronize arrival and minimize exposure during twilight hours when predation risk is high.
3. Information Transfer: Flocking allows birds to share information about food sources. A bird that discovered a productive feeding area may influence the direction of the flock’s movement without direct communication.
4. Social Cohesion: Many of these species are highly social outside the breeding season. Coordinated flight reinforces group identity and reduces aggression within dense populations.

Interestingly, research using computer modeling suggests that each bird follows simple rules—such as maintaining distance from neighbors, aligning direction, and moving toward the center of the group—without centralized control. This self-organized system explains how complex patterns emerge from basic interactions.

Where and When Can You See Murmurations?

If you're hoping to witness a murmuration, timing and location are critical. While starling murmurations peak in late autumn and winter (October to February in the Northern Hemisphere), other species show seasonal patterns tied to migration and roosting cycles.

Bird Species	Best Time to Observe	Geographic Regions	Typical Observation Time of Day
European Starling	Oct–Feb	UK, Western Europe, North America	30–60 mins before sunset
Red-winged Blackbird	Sep–Mar	North America, especially Midwest & Canada	Dusk, near wetlands
Common Grackle	Nov–Feb	Eastern & Central U.S.	Evening, urban parks or fields
Rook/Jackdaw	Year-round, peak in winter	UK, Northern Europe	Sunset, near woodlands
Red-billed Quelea	Year-round, post-harvest seasons	Sub-Saharan Africa	Dawn and dusk