Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United States
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Home
  2. Bing Gallery
  3. United States
  4. 2021
  5. September 20
  6. Starlings in the wetlands between Denmark and Germany
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios Starlings in the wetlands between Denmark and Germany

September 20, 2021

Starlings in the wetlands between Denmark and Germany

© Viking/Alam

Birds of a feather flocking together

In the fall and spring, thousands of people come to the marshlands of the Wadden Sea, between Denmark and Germany, to watch huge flocks of starlings take flight at sunset. The birds synchronize their movements in a flocking behavior called murmuration. They swoop, shift, and turn as one, creating incredible shapes in the sky.

The Danes call this phenomenon 'sort sol,' or black sun. And the description's apt. The starling flocks can be so thick they appear to darken the evening skies. Experts believe murmuration is a defense against hawks and other raptors, or it could also be a way for the birds to stay warm as temperatures dip. Whatever the reason for their mesmerizing, undulating movements, one thing is undeniable—the starlings put on a stunning show.

bird flock sunset silhouette

Related Images

Red-crowned crane bowing to his mate in Hokkaido, JapanRed-crowned crane bowing to his mate in Hokkaido, Japan
Construction workers on scaffoldingConstruction workers on scaffolding
Pelicans at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, CaliforniaPelicans at Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, California
Wildebeests in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, KenyaWildebeests in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya
Moai statues on Easter Island, ChileMoai statues on Easter Island, Chile
Oktoberfest visitors in Munich, GermanyOktoberfest visitors in Munich, Germany
Masai giraffe in Maasai Mara, KenyaMasai giraffe in Maasai Mara, Kenya
Dancers on the site of a lele (altar) on Mount Maunaloa, Molokai, HawaiiDancers on the site of a lele (altar) on Mount Maunaloa, Molokai, Hawaii

Today on Bing

Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina

Sep 20, 2024
Roman-inspired aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland

Roman-inspired aqueduct, Arkadia Park, Poland

Sep 20, 2023
Raft of sea otters in Sitka Sound, near Sitka, Alaska

Raft of sea otters in Sitka Sound, near Sitka, Alaska

Sep 20, 2022
Sea otter mother and newborn pup in Monterey Bay, California

Sea otter mother and newborn pup in Monterey Bay, California

Sep 20, 2020
Quaking aspens of Pando in Fishlake National Forest, Utah

Quaking aspens of Pando in Fishlake National Forest, Utah

Sep 20, 2019

Related Tags

silhouette outdoor sky group cloud sunset animal sun bird nature lake sunrise clouds cloudy distance person standing dark water goose
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.