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The Mysteries of Optic Flow

Birds use a trick of the eye called “optic flow” to zip through forests without colliding.

Aired 04/07/2014 | Rating NR

NOVA

The Mysteries of Optic Flow

Clip: Season 41 Episode 9 | 2m 58sVideo has Closed Captions

Birds use a trick of the eye called “optic flow” to zip through forests without colliding.

How do birds manage to fly through narrow spaces without constantly bumping into trees or buildings? It turns out that they use a trick of the eye called optic flow. Understanding what optic flow is and how birds use it could help us build a safer world for our feathered friends.

Aired 04/07/2014 | Rating NR

National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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National Corporate funding for NOVA is provided by Carlisle Companies. Major funding for NOVA is provided by the NOVA Science Trust, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, and PBS viewers.

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