6/19/2006: Sparrow flocks in Denmark

Undertoad · 06-19-2006, 11:32 AM

Today's Earth Science Picture of the Day highlights 16 shots of these flocks of European Sparrows in Denmark. I've highlighted only these two so as to claim fair use, or something.

Flocks of millions of these birds make formations... but only during a few weeks of the year, and only a half hour before sunset. So many of the birds are in the sky that, at certain times, they block out the sun... thus the name of the phenomenon: "Black Sun".

Trilby · 06-19-2006, 11:35 AM

Didn't some horror movie have this as a premise? I'm thinking a Vin Diesel vehicle but I could be wrong..."Pitch Black"?

skysidhe · 06-19-2006, 12:22 PM

wow...cool. oooh ahhh That beats the humongous dragonflies I saw yesterday. I thought they looked weird. That is just phenominal looking.

Tse Moana · 06-19-2006, 12:22 PM

It looks amazing! Wow!

glatt · 06-19-2006, 12:36 PM

I love these shots.

Elspode · 06-19-2006, 12:47 PM

[quote=Undertoad So many of the birds are in the sky that, at certain times, they block out the sun... thus the name of the phenomenon: "Black Sun".
[/QUOTE]
And what do the call the area *beneath* the formations? "White Grass"?

axlrosen · 06-19-2006, 03:36 PM

Yikes - searching Google Images for "black sun" denmark is not recommended...

glatt · 06-19-2006, 03:45 PM

I will not do it. I will not do it. I will not do it.

Wombat · 06-19-2006, 05:54 PM

I've seen London birds flocking in the same way, also just before sunset. The most amazing part was how the entire flock would dive into a tree at full speed and disappear, presumably all perched on twigs. Then 10 seconds later they would all zoom out of the tree at full speed in one mass, do a few crazy high-speed turns still all as one unit, and then dive into another tree at full speed. They repeated this dance over and over, every time with a different route. It was fantastic to watch.

YellowBolt · 06-19-2006, 07:09 PM

I remember hearing about presentations about how similar phenomenon happened in the US (a long time ago?) with a particular species of bird. But since you could pretty much aim a gun up and shoot to get a free bird dinner, they went extinct.

tw · 06-19-2006, 07:12 PM

One can take the same 'Wow' picture and see the arrival of a new black plague - bird flu. Same picture. Different perspective.

glatt · 06-19-2006, 07:22 PM

It goes both ways. A week or so ago, my son and I were leaning out a window, watching the world go by. I felt a sneeze coming and let it loose just as a bird flew by. I couldn't have timed it better if I tried. He laughed and laughed. A genuine belly laugh. I didn't know 4 year old could laugh that way. I thought it was pretty funny too. I totally nailed that bird with snot.

xoxoxoBruce · 06-19-2006, 07:41 PM

I think UT's second picture looks like a butterfly net.

And this flock has balls.

Stonan · 06-19-2006, 08:30 PM

Wasn't able to find a pic but here in Vacouver at the begining of dusk you can see a murder of crows about the same width in the sky as shown here but the 'flock' stretches from downtown to the suburb of Burnaby (approx 15 miles). It happens every evening as sort of a mini-migration from the parks and docks to a bird sanctuary. (Located right next to the largest McDonalds in the Lower Mainland!)

capnhowdy · 06-19-2006, 08:57 PM

Better have an umbrella is all I can say......

06-19-2006, 11:32 AM	#1
Undertoad Radical Centrist Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Cottage of Prussia Posts: 31,423	6/19/2006: Sparrow flocks in Denmark Today's Earth Science Picture of the Day highlights 16 shots of these flocks of European Sparrows in Denmark. I've highlighted only these two so as to claim fair use, or something. Flocks of millions of these birds make formations... but only during a few weeks of the year, and only a half hour before sunset. So many of the birds are in the sky that, at certain times, they block out the sun... thus the name of the phenomenon: "Black Sun".

06-19-2006, 11:35 AM	#2
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	Didn't some horror movie have this as a premise? I'm thinking a Vin Diesel vehicle but I could be wrong..."Pitch Black"? __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

06-19-2006, 12:47 PM	#6
Elspode When Do I Get Virtual Unreality? Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Raytown, Missouri Posts: 12,719	[quote=Undertoad So many of the birds are in the sky that, at certain times, they block out the sun... thus the name of the phenomenon: "Black Sun". [/QUOTE] And what do the call the area beneath the formations? "White Grass"? __________________ "To those of you who are wearing ties, I think my dad would appreciate it if you took them off." - Robert Moog

06-19-2006, 03:36 PM	#7
axlrosen Major Inhabitant Join Date: Oct 2003 Posts: 125	Yikes - searching Google Images for "black sun" denmark is not recommended... __________________ Warp Bill Gates

06-19-2006, 05:54 PM	#9
Wombat (marsupial with backward-facing pouch) Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canberra Posts: 251	I've seen London birds flocking in the same way, also just before sunset. The most amazing part was how the entire flock would dive into a tree at full speed and disappear, presumably all perched on twigs. Then 10 seconds later they would all zoom out of the tree at full speed in one mass, do a few crazy high-speed turns still all as one unit, and then dive into another tree at full speed. They repeated this dance over and over, every time with a different route. It was fantastic to watch. __________________ If you don't do it properly, you'll get to the pub sooner.

06-19-2006, 12:22 PM	#3
skysidhe ~~Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.~~ Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 6,828	wow...cool. oooh ahhh That beats the humongous dragonflies I saw yesterday. I thought they looked weird. That is just phenominal looking.

06-19-2006, 12:22 PM	#4
Tse Moana You're just jealous 'cause the little voices talk to me Join Date: May 2006 Location: Netherlands Posts: 203	It looks amazing! Wow!

06-19-2006, 12:36 PM	#5
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I love these shots.

06-19-2006, 03:45 PM	#8
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	I will not do it. I will not do it. I will not do it.

06-19-2006, 07:09 PM	#10
YellowBolt I lurk with the best of them Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: not close to philadelphia. :( well, not THAT close. Posts: 146	I remember hearing about presentations about how similar phenomenon happened in the US (a long time ago?) with a particular species of bird. But since you could pretty much aim a gun up and shoot to get a free bird dinner, they went extinct.

06-19-2006, 07:12 PM	#11
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	One can take the same 'Wow' picture and see the arrival of a new black plague - bird flu. Same picture. Different perspective.

06-19-2006, 07:22 PM	#12
glatt ™ Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Posts: 27,717	It goes both ways. A week or so ago, my son and I were leaning out a window, watching the world go by. I felt a sneeze coming and let it loose just as a bird flew by. I couldn't have timed it better if I tried. He laughed and laughed. A genuine belly laugh. I didn't know 4 year old could laugh that way. I thought it was pretty funny too. I totally nailed that bird with snot.

06-19-2006, 07:41 PM	#13
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	I think UT's second picture looks like a butterfly net. And this flock has balls. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump. Last edited by xoxoxoBruce; 04-07-2007 at 05:52 PM.

06-19-2006, 08:30 PM	#14
Stonan Do-er of Deeds Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Cloverdale, British Columbia, Canada, Earth, Universe #42 Posts: 41	Wasn't able to find a pic but here in Vacouver at the begining of dusk you can see a murder of crows about the same width in the sky as shown here but the 'flock' stretches from downtown to the suburb of Burnaby (approx 15 miles). It happens every evening as sort of a mini-migration from the parks and docks to a bird sanctuary. (Located right next to the largest McDonalds in the Lower Mainland!) __________________ Jesus got it wrong by one letter: The Geek shall inherit the earth...

06-19-2006, 08:57 PM	#15
capnhowdy Blatantly Homosapien Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,200	Better have an umbrella is all I can say...... __________________ Please type slowly. I can't read very fast............... and no holy water, please.

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