Large groups have always been effective. Often they could be used as protection, as a large group would prevent others from going after them. In nature this can be seen, as large flocks are used to prevent predators.
Animals usually are in large groups. This can be seen especially in animals that are often perceived as prey by predators. Large groupings make it less likely for a predator to attack. This can be the case for a flock of starlings, which researchers have studied.
Starlings perform large displays over their winter grounds. Scientists aren't sure why they do so, until a study has been made about them. Researchers from the University of Bristol and the University of Groningen have studied how starlings are in their wintering ground.
The researchers have noted that starlings perform large displays. The flock has been observed to grow larger whenever it is near to where predators are. The researchers have noted that this might have been done in order to discourage predators from attacking them.
One likely reason why the starling flock grows larger around predators is to have more lookouts. More lookouts would mean having more who could alert the flock in case a predator tries to attack. Another reason might be that it would allow for information to be given faster among the group.
One starling who sees a predator could alert the others, giving the group time to respond. A large group can move as one in case of an attack, which minimizes any successful attempt. Another possible reason for having a large flock is to confuse predators, according to the University of Bristol's site.
Having a large number would confuse predators as it would make it hard for them which of those in the group to attack. Before an attack could be carried out then, the group would have made a response against it. Successful attacks are lessened because of the big size of the group, as Science Daily reports.
The theories however are hard to test in the open, as admitted by Benedict Hogan, who is a Ph.D. student at the School of Biological Sciences in Bristol. For the study a computer game experiment has been made wherein a player will try and catch a starling from a large flock. The study has found that participants had a harder time trying to catch starlings that belong in large flocks.
Large groups are a means of protection. This has been displayed in nature very well. Large flocks are used to prevent predators. Also recently a leopard shark has made history.
