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What Is a Starling Murmuration?

Starlings gather over their autumn roosting site just before dusk and perform their acrobatic whirling motions before settling down for the evening.
Starlings gather over their autumn roosting site just before dusk and perform their acrobatic whirling motions before settling down for the evening. Photo: Jeff J Mitchell (Getty Images)

A starling murmuration is a spectacular natural phenomenon that consists of hundreds and sometimes thousands of these birds—which appear black from a distance but upon close inspection also have plumage that is glossy shades of purple and green—filling up the sky in coordinated flight. Yes, that’s right: These little fellas swoop, dive, and whirl in perfect synchrony.

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