the birdssss

i was so grossed out by this, i had to make a video. looks like the birds of rome are preparing for the wet season.

"in rome, which has inexplicably become the starling capital of the world, ten million of them flock together to create the most astonishing aerial display in nature. the mesmeric waves they form in the sky act as a beacon to others entering the city. to create such perfect synchronicity - the flock contract, expand and even split, continuously changing density and structure - the birds must react 13 times faster than humans. and it has recently been proved that each starling maintains perfect formation by keeping exactly seven other birds in its sight at all times - and will stick to its chosen seven wing-mates irrespective of distance. the downside of being able to witness this stunning aerial ballet, is starling droppings on a massive scale throughout central rome."

its is more fully explained at http://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/22/magazine/22birds.t.html

here's is video i recorded outside of my apartment tonight.