A murmuration of migrating starlings in Israel - in pictures

  • A murmuration of migrating starlings fly above the city of Beer Sheva, southern Israel. All photos by Reuters
    A murmuration of migrating starlings fly above the city of Beer Sheva, southern Israel. All photos by Reuters
  • Groups of birds twist, turn and swirl in the sky.
    Groups of birds twist, turn and swirl in the sky.
  • Starlings fly in groups for many reasons, one is to protect them from predators, such as peregrine falcons.
    Starlings fly in groups for many reasons, one is to protect them from predators, such as peregrine falcons.
  • They create beautiful cloud-like shapes as they fly.
    They create beautiful cloud-like shapes as they fly.
  • Starlings can be seen every winter in Israel as they arrive from Europe.
    Starlings can be seen every winter in Israel as they arrive from Europe.
  • A single flock, or murmuration, can contain more than a million individual starlings.
    A single flock, or murmuration, can contain more than a million individual starlings.
  • It is thought birds copy one another's aerobatic routines, allowing them to form impressive shapes in the sky.
    It is thought birds copy one another's aerobatic routines, allowing them to form impressive shapes in the sky.
  • The starlings will spend the winter in the Middle East before returning to Russia and eastern Europe in the spring.
    The starlings will spend the winter in the Middle East before returning to Russia and eastern Europe in the spring.