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birds never fly in lockstep

Actually many of them do, like geese and other long distance travellers: they synchronize their movements and positions in a way to save energy.

Positions yes, wing flaps no. There would be no purpose in that. I live under the flight paths of such birds and have been a birdwatcher since childhood. Pelicans, gulls; all sorts of seabirds that fly in flocks never synchronize their wing flaps. When cruising they may but only for short periods. Strong and heavy long distance flyers flap slowly and in shallow strokes to save energy so they may appear to have synchronized flaps in some still photos, and of course ceramic ducks nailed to kitchen walls flap in unison.

Well, the geese over Berlin do. Maybe it's the spirit of the place ...