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Why do migratory birds travel in large groups? Kuya Kim has the answer


In Banga, Aklan, it's not uncommon to see hundreds of barn swallows or salimbabatang flock together and even perch on electrical lines.

As seen in Kuya Kim's report on "24 Oras," Monday, there were so many of them that the residents thought them a nuisance.

Barn swallows are not actually native to the area but a migratory species.

"Kapag nagiging malamig na doon sa Northern Hemisphere, ang mga ibon na ito ay bumababa sa mas mainit na lugar kagaya dito sa Pilipinas," said Dr. Carmela Española an associate professor at the Institute of Biology in UP Diliman.

"Tapos, kapag spring na naman doon sa Northern Hemisphere, bumabalik sila doon," she added.

So why do migratory birds travel in large groups?

"Safe sila kung sila ay lalarga ng sabay-sabay. Kung paisa-isa, 'yung predator, mas madali silang kakain," she said.

The barn swallows then fly to find places to eat and nest their eggs. They eat insects, like flies, so they help control the insect population.

Meanwhile, in Olango Island in Cebu, over 90 species of birds from all over the world make their stopover during their migration season.

The birds are protected by RA 9147 Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Act.

—Kimberly Tsao/MGP, GMA Integrated News