Murmurations are large groups of starlings that fly in mesmerizing patterns in the sky. It is thought that these formations offer protection from predators, as it is difficult for a predator to single out one bird from the large group. It is not fully understood how the individual starlings are able to navigate without colliding with each other.
I remember reading a study about birbs that apparently they have magnetic sensitive bacteria on their brains and it was supposed that might influence their ability to navigate massive distances and fly in the dark, or upside down with no bearing. That movement seems less influenced by predation than just, weird northern lights type fluid dynamics or electro-magnetic wave motion. I prefer to think things so beautiful are based on the cosmos and not fucking survival “eat or be eaten” capitalistic concepts.