I have recently been learning a lot more about birds as I have been studying avian influenza and trying to educate others about the risks and the mitigation measures we should be taking. In doing so, I have become fascinated with starlings, blackbirds, and grackles in their potential role in the spread of influenza viruses (because they have largely been overlooked), but I also became fascinated with the complexity of their murmuration. I had not even begun to contemplate the implications of murmuration to human personal and social relationships. Very interesting and insightful on your part!

– M.D. David Pate