Migrating Birds Just Copy Cats?

Researchers have found that most migrating birds and other animals are just “following the leader”, which has serious ramifications as their habitats become more fragmented.

“By studying migration simulations of everything from bison to bacteria, a team of researchers found that very few individuals in a group migrate because of environmental cues. Most are just following the leader, which may be the reason many species eventually stop migrating as their habitable areas become more distant and fragmented,” reports Casey Johnston. “Birds and other migrating species may be as dependent on social networks as we are.”