Why do the geese switch the leader when they fly in a v shape?

Question

Why do the geese switch the leader when they fly in a v shape?

Answer 1

The lead goose doesn't get the benefit of flying behind, like the others, which is easier (due to the way the air moves around them, I guess), and thus tires out faster. It's only fair to the goose in the front if they switch around.  

Answer 2

It's the same reason cyclist keep changing leaders in a bike race.

It's called drafting. The one in the front is doing all the work and rotating  allows the birds to share the work and fatigue.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drafting_(r...

Drafting or slipstreaming is a technique in sports racing where competitors align in a close group in order to reduce the overall effect of drag or fluid resistance of the group in a slipstream. Especially when high speeds are involved, drafting can significantly reduce the average energy expenditure required to maintain a certain speed.

Drafting is used to reduce wind resistance and is seen most commonly in bicycle racing,....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/V_formation

Aerodynamics

Flying in a V formation aids the birds in covering long distances efficiently. All the birds except the first are flying in the upwash from the wingtip vortices of the bird ahead. The birds in the formation takes turns to fly first. A little upwash assists the bird to support its own weight in flight in the same way as a glider can climb, or maintain height indefinitely, in rising air. Energy efficiency can be as much as doubled[citation needed] by flying in a V formation. The birds flying at the tips and at the front are rotated in a timely cyclical fashion to spread flight fatigue equally among the flock members.....

Answer 3

Collective laziness.

Answer 4

The lead goose lessens the air resistance for the other gesse, they only hold that poistion for so long, until they tire out and lag behind when another goose takes over.



All the other geese honk along as cheerleaders for the lead goose, that's how they tell them that they're doing a good job being in the front