What season do wild geese generally fly south? In which month specifically?

At the mention of wild geese, everyone is surely familiar with them; each time they fly in rows, very impressive. So what season do wild geese fly south?

1. What season do wild geese fly south?

Wild geese fly south in autumn, during the Bailu (White Dew) period of the 24 solar terms. They generally fly to the south to spend the winter. When flying, wild geese form a “V” shape or a “one” shape, which is a manifestation of their flocking instinct and helps them defend against enemies. During migration, the time and place of their coming and going are very regular, with fixed wintering grounds, breeding grounds and migration sites.

2. Why do wild geese fly in a “V” shape or a “one” shape?

1. Wild geese fly in a “V” shape or a “one” shape because they fly all day long, and the strength of a single wild goose is not enough; they must help each other to fly fast and far. When a strong wild goose flaps its wings in flight, the wingtips stir up a gust of wind that is sent upward from below, gently lifting the young geese, so the young geese on the long journey will not fall behind. Generally, the wild geese at the front are very strong and experienced. Because of the effect of the lead goose flapping its wings, which drives the airflow, if they fly in a “V” shape or a “one” shape, the wild geese behind will fly much more easily and will not need to rest many times.

2. During the flight of the lead goose, a low-pressure area forms behind it, and the wild geese closely following it can use this low-pressure area to reduce air resistance. This is beneficial to the sustained flight ability of the whole flock.

3. Wild geese forming a neat V shape or one-line shape is also a manifestation of their flocking instinct. Because this helps them defend against enemies. The flock is always led by an experienced old goose acting as the “captain”, flying at the front of the formation.

4. During flight, the lead goose consumes a great deal of physical strength, so it often exchanges positions with other wild geese. Young birds and weak birds are mostly placed in the middle of the formation. When resting by the water to look for food and aquatic plants, an experienced old goose always serves as the sentinel. If a lone goose flies south, it is in danger of being eaten by enemies.

Overall, wild geese fly south in autumn, and many wild geese form a “V” shape or a “one” shape and regularly fly south to spend the winter.