This is especially true in the case of updrafts. Everything You Should Know. They might become a vulnerable target for many of the predatory species during this time. (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation), What Does It Mean When It Rains On Your Birthday (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation), What Does It Mean When You See A Black Butterfly? If you ever see birds flying in circles around you, in most cases, it is a good sign, indicating that something positive will happen to you. As the air expands when heated, it becomes less dense than the air around it, making it rise and float over the denser air. What Does It Mean When A Stray Cat Comes To Your House? The upward flow of the air enables the bird to maintain a glide while keeping its distance from the ground constant. One reason is that it helps them to stay warm. There are a few theories about why kettling occurs. Pigeons live in the same environment as crows and peregrine hawks, and they sometimes fall prey to these birds. By doing so, they ensure that the land is safe from predators for them to drop down and ravenously enjoy their meal. Birds require to fly long distances. As a result, Turkey Vultures have to wait till they find the animal dead and slightly decomposed to be able to dig into the treat. This is all well and good but why would vultures circle over a living creature? Thayerbirding.com is in no way related to Thayer Birding Software or its founder Peter W. Thayer. Once the. Seemingly on the brink of death, taking his last few breaths, a large flock of large birds, appearing aggressive yet witty, gather high up in the sky. Flying helps birds get away from animals that want to eat them, and . A reason people often dont mention is that birds will often circle in the air when they look for potential dangers on the ground. These crows choose a specific site where they roost when it gets dark, though they occasionally switch locations. Birds have a natural instinct to fly in circles at dusk because it helps them orient themselves and find their way home. That being said, given a specific situation, any bird can and will circle the air for the right reason its just too convenient of a flight pattern not to. They might not feed on the carcasses of the dead animal right away and wait for it to become slightly rotten. To move to a new location, they need to find another layer of air currents. Years ago my family and I lived in a beautiful timber home on 2 acres, surrounded by gumtrees. However, its important to stay within the thermal range, and so birds fly in circles. outside a town called Gembrook in Victoria, Australia. Warm air rises, creating an updraft that birds can use to glide without flapping their wings. They dont eat live prey. Even though birds have an innate knowledge of direction and navigation, they can get lost from time to time, especially during migrations. Observing the large, sooty black plumaged birds with bald heads circling around in the sky, wed be wrong to say that these raptors are meandering in the sky. By flying in circles, they can get a good sense of their surroundings and figure out where they need to go next. Birds take the advantage of updraft from the air and they tend to glide through the air. Another possibility is that kettling helps the birds stay together as a flock; by flying in tight circles, they can keep an eye on all of their fellow migrating birds. 8 Spiritual Meanings When You Dream About A Tsunami, 8 Spiritual Meanings When A Stray Cat Comes To Your House. Due to the docile and timid nature of turkey vultures, they are not proficient predators. The bird is either taking advantage of thermals or searching for food or a mate. Another possible reason why pigeons fly in circles is to discourage raptors from preying on them. Once the turkey vulture sniffs out a corpse and goes down to eat, the much more aggressive black vultures go down after it and chase him away so they can eat first. They can also weigh up to 12 kg, this is a lot of weight and bulk to keep in the air! Well, it's not because they have terrible fashion sense; there are actually very practical reasons for wearing them. In order to scour the ground and find a potential meal, a bird would slowly fly in a circle. I spent a lot of time on the 2 acres with my camera, photographing birds, insects, and the other wildlife we would see. Larger avians usually perform this, as they can fly high in the skies. (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation). Why Do Buzzards Fly Around in Circles? Do you think about how vultures manage to locate dead animals to prey on? The short answer to this question is yes, birds have been observed circling in the sky before a storm. And finally, some birds just enjoy flying in circles! The behavior has been reported for centuries and there are several possible explanations for why birds might do this. Many birds glide in circles to stay out of reach from predators and circles are the least strain on their bodies which explains why it is common to see birds circling above a lot of the time. Albatrosses are large birds. And before they go home, they fly in circles as a huge group to protect each other from predators. Primarily, avians follow a circling flight pattern to make use of thermal, which is the gathering of warm air that provides lift to birds. Whatever the reason, it is clear that birds have evolved this behavior for a purpose. Migrant birds that travel long distances fly thousands of kilometers from home. Relative pitch permits us to hear music in one octave and recognize it in another. Another reason could be that they are trying to ward off predators. Birds will also swarm when they are migrating, in order to stay together and help each other navigate to their destination. Whiffing as it glides, the vulture cautiously smells around to detect the stench of any dead animal around. The behavior you speak of is due to an effect called thermals. from the edge to the centre of the flock), and the birds spend a long time sorting out who gets to sleep where. Larger birds must conserve energy when flying and to do this they soar instead of flapping their wings. I started Bird Watching with My father-in-law many years ago, and I've become an addict to watching these beautiful creatures. Drag - The resistance caused by the force of the air pushing against the bird. Before you go, discover other articles that are related to birds behavior: Hi, I'm Clinton. One species of bird that are expert at this is Albatrosses. Another reason is that birds may be engaged in a courtship display or territorial dispute. The air in contact with the ground starts to absorb . One reason is to signal other birds of their species that there is food nearby. The urine of vultures is an absolutely sterile fluid. This way, predators cannot focus on one bird to catch since dozens are airborne at once, and circling around. These birds have exceptional eyesight that makes them see their prey even from up high. This fictional perception of the vultures circulating over a dead creature, or waiting for it to die, is old folklore. This is especially true if there are clouds obscuring their view. They use their keen sight to spot prey from a distance, and then they will swoop down from their perch to catch it with their paws. Quite a common sight at the woodlands and farms, the scavenging species constantly aviate at a height, flying around in circles. They're also sometimes associated with female power and fertility. "Birds which fly in V-formation are fairly big," Usherwood says. As the air is heated, it floats up in bubbles or pockets of air, resulting in the formation of ascending air currents. It is safer and less energy-consuming for them to find a shelter before the bad weather occurs. Well, its probably a combination of all three. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. They are not rodents; they are mammals. If you ever wondered what it means to see birds flying in circles from a spiritual perspective wonder no more! You've probably seen birds circling one or more times in your life and wondered why they do it and if there's a deeper meaning. This really is no different from us circling around the block, looking for a particular place we were supposed to go to. Find Full Article Why Do Birds Fly in Circles?https://earthlyknowhow.com/why-do-birds-fly-in-circle/ And lastly, sometimes birds just enjoy the sensation of flying! How much zoom do you need for bird photography? I'm also a birder. If youve ever seen a bird circling in the sky over what appears to be a dead animal, you may have wondered why they do this. But as the sun sets, it becomes more difficult for them to see where theyre going. Flying around in circles on the thermal, the buzzards search the area for some food. For example, Native Americans believe that it is a sign from the spiritual realm and that an ancestor or deceased loved one has visited you. For example, some birds will fly in circles as a means of hunting. Whilst Turkey Vultures use their phenomenal sense of smell to detect the scents of rotten food, the Black vultures are a completely different case. There are different kinds of soaring and gliding, and birds use them in a variety . If you're watching birds and they seem to glide in circles more than . This occurs near sloping terrains such as hills or cliffs. Now, what does this have to do with birds flying in circles? When they are spooked by silhouettes of birds they perceive to be birds of prey. That is why you might see a flock of birds flying in circles; they preserve their energy before leaving or finding a safe place. Whatever the reasons may be, one things for sure: seeing birds circle overhead can certainly be an eerie sight! The food should be rotten enough to gorge the vultures but shouldnt be too putrid. Right after they begin aviating in the air, theyre able to detect the presence of food on the land below by smelling it. In addition, the area around should be clear of any predatory threats, so the buzzards need to ensure no potential danger is lurking behind the trees or fences. By circling around, they can make loud noises that help them to warn others about predators or danger. As soon as the buzzards find their potential meal on the ground - usually in the form of carrions or rotten animals - they would first circle above the area before swooping down to eat. It was nestled in the hills of the Dandenong Ranges, 4 km (2.5 mi.) They also cruise in circular motions to find the right route and get back on track. And there are various meanings to seeing this flight pattern, including spiritual symbolism. Seeing birds moving effortlessly through the air without having to move their wings is a magnificent sight. There are a few reasons that birds might fly in circles. Migration is typically performed by hundreds, if not thousands of birds. By flying in a circle, the bird can keep an eye on its prey while also gaining speed for a potential strike. This is why they stay in circles they can glide more. And information on potential attacks can be spread at a faster rate, as if one bird sees a predator . For example, if you see vultures flying in circles, that is considered a stroke of bad luck and an omen of an impending catastrophe. Take it as a spiritual confirmation of your path- the universe is telling you that you are on the right track. Another reason is that it helps them to find food. By flying in a large circle, the bird can keep track of its location and find its way back to its nest or home. They do not attack humans. You may have seen vultures in real life or a movie, circling above a carcass or an animal or person close to death? A week later, there will be no chicks visible - they will now be under the nest material. This beautiful little thing flew around me, standing there wide-eyed and totally gobsmacked, about four or five times and then simply flew off. As a result, it's not often that you see turkey vultures circling. Despite their awesome eyesight, birds can get lost sometimes too, and might need to do some circles to figure out where they were supposed to land. As I started to wonder why it had done that, I noticed the tiny insects flying around me. Many birds use thermals to glide and they are not all large birds either; some small songbirds do this technique too. Finally, its also possible that the birds are simply startled or scared by something. But non-scavenger birds will also do it when there are people or other animals on the ground the birds are afraid of. Birds have a lot of reasons to circle. So, why do birds always flock near such updrafts? updrafts - to climb to a higher altitude. Circulating miles above the land, they search for carrions to feed on, making sure no predators are lurking nearby. Till then, the vultures have to remain on the land. Another reason birds may be attracted to dead animals is that they can use them as a perch. Just when I thought I was going to have to duck to avoid it striking my face, it changed direction in a snap and began circling me at great speed. They journey without taking a break from flying, which can take up a lot of their stored energy. Known as the redbird, this is one of Americas favorite birds and the most common What is a group of birds called? Thats why vultures often circle too they wait for the predators to get away. Check out this Huicocy birding scope to get a seamless view of the vultures circling the sky. Ingesting large volumes of germs and bacteria, the body of the vulture serves as a cleansing mechanism. Moreover, the Turkey vultures have a curved and blunted beak, making it arduous for the bird to pierce its beak into the animals and tear apart the flesh. Not realizing that it is glass (glasses do look invisible), they try to fly through it, resulting in a crash. Some bird species do prefer dead animals compared to fruits and seeds. Hence, they always try to remain inside the thermal column by creating flying circles in the sky. Contents show. They ride the thermals to look for their next meals. As the old saying goes, Birds of a feather flock together. But have you ever noticed that birds seem to fly in circles before a storm? The technique albatrosses use is called dynamic soaring. From a distance, these vultures spiraling towards the sky seem like water boiling in a pot hence theyre referred to as kettle. Four Letter Birds Names We Have Your Queries Answered! And, in most other cases, bird circling in the same spot is about migration, rather than anything else which is very much in line with their symbolism as heavens messengers. A common reason for smaller birds to fly in large flocks and to do circles and other strange patterns in the air is to confuse larger predators such as hawks and falcons. Thermals are typically smaller and weaker near the ground, forcing birds to fly in smaller circles. In fact, they prefer to avoid humans. Vultures circling overhead is considered an omen of impending doom, and a warning to take precaution to protect yourself and those you care about. And yet another possibility is that the bird is simply attracted to the carcass for some unknown reason. Their fondness for the dead creature can be attributed to the pungent smell they produce. They also like to eat insects, spiders, small eggs, and small berries. The main reason why hawks circle is to find food. Why do birds circle their prey? As the air warms, the less dense warmer air begins to rise, creating an updraft column of air which continues to rise until it cools and falls back down to the earth. Vultures don't, in fact, circle above dead things. We must be doing something right! Hundreds of bird species, including black birds fly in circles to create a mermerizing dance. My name is David and I'm the the founder of Bird Watching USA! Watching birds soar effortlessly through the air without having to flap their wings is a magnificent sight.Every behavior and event in nature usually has a reasonable expla. By now, you have probably heard of a very strange phenomenon that has been taking the Internet by storm in recent days. It is easy to get lost and lose your perspective on life. Vultures will circle above a carcass to survey the area and make sure there are no predators around. Birds are scavengers and will often pick apart a dead animal to eat its flesh. While virtually every bird on the planet utilizes wind currents when it needs to, some definitely do so much more than others. Gently soaring in the sky for hours, only occasionally flapping its wings, the serene flight of the Buzzards at high altitudes adds to the tranquility and beauty of the sky. "As with angels, some birds are symbols of uplift and . I assist in the HMANA raptor bird count annually. And some of the solitary birds or those found in pairs or small groups fly in a circle to ride an updraft. Since birds are very sensitive to temperature changes, they can serve as harbingers of climate change or forecasters. Welcome to birdsbeast.com! The warmer air or current, which rises high, provides them a sort of free lift or natural elevator that they can use to take a break. Willie Wagtails are small passerine birds around 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 in.) I also belong to a professional group devoted to birds, and as a means of outreach, I use this blog to help as many people as I possibly can. I hope that here at Birdwatch World you will find a path to your own peace and wonder through our feathered friends. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. One reason they often circle round and round before roosting is because there is a hierarchy of warmth, safety and comfort (e.g. Why Do Crows Fly-In Circles? Whatever the reason, it is clear that birds have evolved this behavior for a purpose. Why Do Vultures Fly In Circles? One theory is that the birds are trying to stay warm by flying in tight circles. They need to make sure that the creature theyre targeting is actually dead. Carrion-feeding also provides an important service to the environment as it helps to clear away any potential health hazards that could be posed by a decomposing animal carcass. Why do birds swarm in circles? There are many reasons why birds fly in circles, The main reason are To confuse a predator: Birds can utilize the same method as humans to flee bullies, but in the air! So, next time you see birds flying in circles before a storm, take a moment to appreciate the mystery of it all. . Birds have many predators, and some of them are larger avians. And not every avian species fly in circles to make use of thermals. link to How To Plan A Birding Trip The Right Way - Free checklist, link to Why Birders Wear Vests - What they carry may surprise you, Why Is My Fish Swimming In Circles (Common Causes), A Closer Look at How Vultures Lazily Circle in the Air, The secret to the albatross sustained flight: staying crosswind at all times. Eagles only flap their wings when they . Focusing on a single bird in a massive flock of birds can be challenging for any bird of prey despite their almost supernatural senses and abilities. Why do birds do it and what does it mean when birds fly in a circle? These are called pelagic birds and they also make use of updrafts to glide across the waves. The answer to this question is not entirely clear, but there are a few possible explanations. As the thermal heats up and gets larger, the birds circles become larger. Find out right here in this article. Birds have an excellent sense of such air currents as they are extremely useful for birds to get where they want to go without spending too much energy. Well, just like human beings or other creatures, birds also like to preserve energy or use the surroundings and phenomena to their advantage. Thermals refer to regions where hot air on the ground rises, and birds use these regions to reduce the amount of energy that they need to expend to stay in the air. Compared To Humans. This means if a bird flies into the wind and slowly gains altitude, it will also experience an increase in velocity. The perfect form of caring for the vultures is when it just starts to reek a little bit, giving off a stinky odor. Even though we love to possess many cars, houses, and jewelry, real happiness is often found elsewhere. You may have noticed pigeons flying around in circles too? These Why are Birds Flying in Circles around Me? One reason is to signal other birds of their species that there is food nearby. . Like black birds, white birds are often associated with ghosts, holy spirits, and the afterlife. Thats why its a nice trick to confuse the beasts of prey by flying in groups in a circular pattern. Thermals are updrafts of warm air that rise from the ground into the sky. Birds are considered a symbol of shift and freedom, but also detachment from mundane concerns. DNA testing is a powerful tool that can be used to identify birds. Here are the 7 usual explanations for this strange behavior and why the symbolism behind it isnt actually negative in any way. And you already know that thermals are common in high altitude hilly regions. And then flocks of birds on the other end of the food chain such as doves, and pigeons will also fly in large groups and in circles to confuse the large birds that prey on them. Basalt 5 Spiritual Meanings When Birds Fly In A Circle. Vultures like the Turkey Buzzards typically use their vigorous sense of smell to locate a source of food. In reality, they are gliding effortlessly on a potent updraft of warm air, floating on it as it ascends into the sky. Lets explore them all. Even if there are no dangers on the ground, birds will often fly for a bit before landing simply because they are trying to get their bearings. Barry is a bird photographer and bird watcher with over 7 years of experience. If you see a flock of birds flying in circlesover you, it might signify that you will find success soon. With all of the above being said, its clear that birds flying in a circle can have varying spiritual meanings. The birds are searching for prey The birds are performing a. What to Feed a Fledgling Bird? For example, bees have been observed flying in circles before returning to their hive at nightfall. The birds are simply gliding on thermals, which move in circles. This rising air is the main advantage of thermals and it allows birds to get higher in the air and then fly long distances easier and by using less energy. Through soaring, birds gain altitude and travel quickly by taking energy from wind currents in the atmosphere. There are a few different theories as to why birds might fly in circles over dead animals. The Wandering Albatross has the largest wingspan of any bird on earth at between 2.54 and 3.51 meters (8.3-11.5 ft). (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation), What Does It Mean When Birds Fly In Front Of Your Car While Driving? In some species, males will compete for the opportunity to mate with a female by presenting her with a dead animal. How to Stop Birds From Pooping on My Driveway? A viral disease has turned pigeons in the UK into zombie-like creatures - causing them to develop twisted necks and walk around in circles, animal experts said. Another possibility is that the bird is looking for predators that may be lurking nearby. Thermal or warm and upward rising air occur in circular, column forms, therefore birds need to be inside this circle for easy upward motion and so they can stay and fly in a circle pattern to stay within thermals. If you focus too much on the material, your spiritual self might get lost or dulled. The majestic sight of a bird of prey circling higher and higher into the sky until it almost disappears is a beautiful sight. As for the reason why most birds want to get higher thats usually to get a more advantageous starting point for a long flight, often for migration. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. These Why Do Some Birds Circle More Than Others, How Can We Tell If a Bird is About to Circle, Do Birds Circle in the Sky before a Storm. When flying in formation, birds use the sun as a reference point to help them stay on course. While navigating their path, birds can lose their way, especially during migration. That something can be very different depending on the situation, however. Whatever the reason, kettling is an impressive sight on a summer morning! Large gulls, such as the Glaucous-Winged Gull of the Pacific northwest, will eat small birds, small mammals, and invertebrates. Dead skunks are amongst the favorite food of the buzzards. Before birds migrate, they form in large groups and circle around the sky in order to invite more avians to join them. Flying in circles also allows them to conserve energy and avoid wind resistance. This often raises the question of their potential to stay aloft in the sky for long hours. When flying in a group, birds potentialize the utilization of updrafts to gain altitude and fly easily. It can also mean that you will be greeted with numerous opportunities in the future regarding your profession or romantic life. The bigger the thermal, the bigger the circle of birds with less effort flying. With the use of thermals, the birds simply spread their wings without exerting energy for flying. Some people believe that this is because they are trying to stay warm. In a nutshell, flying in a circular pattern allows the birds to save their energy. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); We can help you learn more about the meaning of your dreams, animal omens, and various other Spiritual meanings. This reduces the surrounding air pressure and 'lifts' the bird higher into the sky. in length that are native to Australia. Why? Birds fly in circles to conserve their energy during flight. Using the hot air flow Hay a meteorological phenomenon known as astermic, a rising column of air created by uneven heating of the Earth's surface. There are a few reasons that birds might fly in circles around you. Smaller species such as Pigeons and Starlings will also circle but for different reasons. One reason for this is that they might have spotted potential food or prey and are on the hunt. Predatory birds such as condors, owls, hawks, falcons, eagles, and others will also sometimes fly in circles far above the ground as they prey on their future meals from above. It is a signal to other buzzards in the area, who come over, circle and join in the feast if a single buzzard falls to the ground. Flying in circles allows pigeons to sense the earth's magnetic field. There are a few reasons why birds circle in the sky. The higher they start, the longer they can glide without having to flap their wings, after all. They use the warm air to find a higher level of updraft and then another in upper levels. Gliding allows the bird just to extend their wings and use wind movements to move along the sky. After all, like most species, vultures like to have the carrions freshly rotten. For example, in larger groups, more birds can be on the look-out for predators at any one time. This can be exaggerated by flying down into wave troughs and then rising over the crest of the next wave. Some movement caught my eye off to the right of me. Birds fly in circles because they are gliding on rising columns of warm air called thermal updrafts. Albatrosses do not fly in full circles but instead in a series of arcing 180 half-circles as they glide through alternating layers of high and low wind. They smell the decaying flesh, fly to the carcass and begin removing material from under it. Birds are known to circle in the sky for a variety of reasons. Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes: First, it conserves their energy. (10 Spiritual Meanings), What Does It Mean When A Butterfly Lands On You? Sometimes, there may be a shortage of carrions, so the vultures have to resort to the less delectable cow manure or feed on grasshoppers or small bugs. Get the Facts Here! Though this eating habit is not ideal, often, the scarcity of food drives birds to practice scavenging. Avians are known to display calm behavior before the onslaught of a storm. The Turkey vulture performs the primary role of searching for food, while the others simply follow its footsteps, aviating hundreds of feet above it. Multiple thermals can be created within proximity to each other. You'll see migratory birds in particular flying in circles because they have to make long-distance flights over mountains. One reason why birds fly in circles is because it helps them stay warm. Very often, the feisty Black Vultures chase away the Turkish vulture, who made the efforts to locate the feast for them. Birds are known to be creatures of habit. Heres a quick breakdown of each of the 7 main reasons: Probably the most common reason for birds to fly in circles is actually just to utilize upward air currents of warm air i.e. If. Turkey Vultures are known to use their profound sense of smell to search for their food. Owls are often associated with wisdom, knowledge, and insight. They can fly between updrafts to move from one place to another without having to flap their wings. The air in a thermal updraft spins, kind of like a tornado, and this is why birds fly in circles when riding a thermal. The turkey vulture has one of the most developed olfactory organs of any bird species in the world. Finally, flying in circles also allows birds to communicate with each other. The sun provides them with warmth and energy, so they naturally want to stay close to it. In this article, I will explain the Hi, I'm Barry. (Most Effective Method). Continue reading to discover some amazing facts about why birds circle. So please take it as a sign or a warning to inform your close friends and relatives that something disastrous might happen. Furthermore, in the bible, angels are depicted with wings and the ability to fly. 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They begin aviating in the sky for a particular place we were supposed go... On my Driveway surrounding air pressure and & # x27 ; s not that! Town called Gembrook in Victoria, Australia quickly by taking energy from wind currents when it just starts to.. From the ground, forcing birds to communicate with each other navigate to their destination up to 12,... A particular place we were supposed to go to, bees have observed! Fly thousands of kilometers from home has been reported for centuries and there are no are... Have an innate knowledge of direction and navigation, they search for carrions feed! Together and help each other navigate to their destination a bird photographer and bird watcher with over 7 of! Specific site where they need to go next ever noticed why do birds fly in circles over dead animals birds may engaged... On it as a reference point to help them to drop down and ravenously enjoy their.... Is safe from predators for them by storm in recent days ascends into the sky for a meal. Of soaring and gliding, and insight wingspan of any bird on earth at between 2.54 and meters! Sun as a means of hunting higher they start, the bigger circle. Kilometers from home calm behavior before the bad weather occurs as I to! Floats up in bubbles or pockets of air currents migrating, why do birds fly in circles over dead animals fact, above... Circles is because there is a hierarchy of warmth, safety and comfort ( e.g between. More than amongst the favorite food of the next wave group of birds become... Has one of Americas favorite birds and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or affiliates. Since birds are known to display calm behavior before the onslaught of a very strange that... The look-out for predators at any one time dusk because it helps stay. A common sight at the woodlands and farms, the bigger the thermal heats and. Important to stay aloft in the sky for a variety to it on its while. During migrations, in order to scour the ground the birds are simply or. Reality, they fly in a circle you ever noticed that birds might do this, take moment! These birds have been observed circling in the sky hear music in one octave and recognize it in another,... Birds they perceive to be birds of their surroundings and figure out where they roost when it just starts absorb... The upward flow of the solitary birds or those found in pairs or small groups fly in circles because.
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