By flying in a circle, the bird can keep an eye on its prey while also gaining speed for a potential strike. Primarily, avians follow a circling flight pattern to make use of thermal, which is the gathering of warm air that provides lift to birds. We dont really see it that way, however, as even in this latter case, the vultures are helping keep our environment clean and hygienic. Quite a common sight at the woodlands and farms, the scavenging species constantly aviate at a height, flying around in circles. After all, like most species, vultures like to have the carrions freshly rotten. Why do birds do it and what does it mean when birds fly in a circle? I stood there with my mouth agape in awe of what had just happened. The bigger the thermal, the bigger the circle of birds with less effort flying. When a bird does thermal soaring, it is gliding in the same way, however, as the air in a thermal is rising, the bird rises with it. In some cases, birds will even help to hasten the decomposition process by pecking at the body of the deceased animal and thereby increasing air flow to aid bacteria in breaking down the tissue. As I had a 55-200mm lens on the camera at the time, I decided to just enjoy the moment as it was simply too close to focus on. Owls are often associated with wisdom, knowledge, and insight. Some cultures perceive birds as angels or messengers of god. eating birds and they are circling to signal the others that there is meat there or they could be already vultures at the dead animal they found so there . Incapable of detecting any smell, the Black Vultures rely on their keen sense of sight, hence flying at high altitudes to find some rotten carcasses when foraging for food. This occurs near sloping terrains such as hills or cliffs. Now obviously, I wasnt scared to see such a small bird hurtling towards my face but it did unnerve me a bit when it failed to change course! They also cruise in circular motions to find the right route and get back on track. A third of them saw a raptor attack the murmuration. The urine of vultures is an absolutely sterile fluid. Flocking behavior is often seen in social animals, like birds, as a way to stay together and stay safe. When I turned to look, I saw a Willie Wagtail flying right towards me at full speed. Birds are known to circle in the sky for a variety of reasons. Another reason is that birds may be engaged in a courtship display or territorial dispute. From afar, vultures seem to enjoy a serene flight in the sky and what's intriguing is their circular motion. Do Birds Circle in the Sky before a Storm? The sun provides them with warmth and energy, so they naturally want to stay close to it. "They fly at the . Birds: Why do flocks of pigeons fly in circles for several minutes at a time? Just like people walking about, birds flying in a circle often means that they are looking for something. Known as the redbird, this is one of Americas favorite birds and the most common What is a group of birds called? Why Do Birds Fly in Circles? Once the turkey vulture sniffs out a corpse and goes down to eat, the much more aggressive black vultures go down after it and chase him away so they can eat first. As the food filled with high levels of bacteria enters the body, the potent digestive juices kill all the germs present in the carcasses to ensure that the vulture itself might not be affected by any disease. While we may never know for sure why birds fly in circles at sunset, its clear that this behavior is linked to their natural instinctual drives. The birds take turns being in the front, falling back when they get tired. Till then, the vultures have to remain on the land. Some believe that animals close to death give off a certain scent that vultures can detect from quite a distance. Despite their exemplary ability to smell the rotten food, they prefer fresher baits and carcasses over ones that are extremely rotten. And for certain, you . You may have seen vultures in real life or a movie, circling above a carcass or an animal or person close to death? By doing so, they ensure that the land is safe from predators for them to drop down and ravenously enjoy their meal. Why? This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. They do not attack humans. One possibility is that the bird is trying to get your attention for some reason perhaps its lost and looking for help, or maybe it wants you to share your food! The upward flow of the air enables the bird to maintain a glide while keeping its distance from the ground constant. Larger avians usually perform this, as they can fly high in the skies. Thermal or warm and upward rising air occur in circular, column forms, therefore birds need to be inside this circle for easy upward motion and so they can stay and fly in a circle pattern to stay within thermals. And there are various meanings to seeing this flight pattern, including spiritual symbolism. Just when I thought I was going to have to duck to avoid it striking my face, it changed direction in a snap and began circling me at great speed. There are birds like the common swift that almost never land so, when they need to save some energy while in the air, doing circles is the way to go. On the other hand, some birds, such as ravens, and hawks, particularly scavengers, can be bad omens and signify death and doom. For a second I considered bringing my camera up and attempting a photo. Dreaming about birds flying in circles is also a good omen. Everything You Should Know. They can spend hours soaring in the sky and searching for dead animals to feed on. Another reason is that it helps them to find food. One is that the rising sun warms the air near the ground more quickly than higher up, creating a thermal current that the birds can ride like a wave. For example, if you see vultures flying in circles, that is considered a stroke of bad luck and an omen of an impending catastrophe. This allows the avians to fly without flapping their wings and go in a circle. Dead animals provide a safe place for birds to rest and watch for predators. Birds take the advantage of updraft from the air and they tend to glide through the air. In other words, if you see bats around your home it could indicate that you have a pest problem. It is my fervent desire to change this, and I hope my blogging will motivate meaningful actions and allow individuals to safely handle their birds. And to get back on track, they fly in a disk-like pattern to find their exact route. What most people think of when we talk about birds flying in circles is vultures or birds of prey looking for their next meal. Why do blackbirds fly in circles? Hundreds of bird species, including black birds fly in circles to create a mermerizing dance. Vultures circling overhead is considered an omen of impending doom, and a warning to take precaution to protect yourself and those you care about. When birds circle before landing, they are looking for a good place to land and they are also trying to get a sense of the wind direction. 3. During the nesting season, crows with young birds in the nest usually stick close to home and keep a sharp watch out for predators or other potential threats. Another possibility is that the bird is using the sun or stars to navigate. Now you might be asking yourself what thermal is. Wandering through the tropical desert, avidly searching for a source of water to quench ones thirst, the old fellow gives up as he surrenders himself on a rock nearby. Soaring in the sky peacefully, rarely flapping its wings, the keen sense of smell and sight lets the bird explore a substantial area of the ground in its diligent hunt for food. Then, when they have a choice, they will choose the fresher carrions, leaving aside the filthier ones. Pigeons live in the same environment as crows and peregrine hawks, and they sometimes fall prey to these birds. This allows the avians to fly without flapping their wings and go in a circle. This is because many of us are caught in the ever-evolving fast lane of life, both consuming and overwhelming us with change and transformation. There are a few reasons why some birds circle more than others. from the edge to the centre of the flock), and the birds spend a long time sorting out who gets to sleep where. Birds are known to be creatures of habit. These are called pelagic birds and they also make use of updrafts to glide across the waves. Diurnal birds fly into windows because they see a reflection of a yard, a tree, or the skies. How Powerful Is Vulture Smell Exactly? Observing the large, sooty black plumaged birds with bald heads circling around in the sky, wed be wrong to say that these raptors are meandering in the sky. Sometimes, birds will also circle in the sky as part of a mating ritual. The Turkey vulture performs the primary role of searching for food, while the others simply follow its footsteps, aviating hundreds of feet above it. (Most Effective Method). Warm air rises, creating an updraft that birds can use to glide without flapping their wings. Vultures don't, in fact, circle above dead things. Vultures like the Turkey Buzzards typically use their vigorous sense of smell to locate a source of food. Avians are known to display calm behavior before the onslaught of a storm. Birds have many predators, and flying in circles helps them stay safe. There are a few potential reasons why the birds might be flying around crazy. One possibility is that theyre experiencing something called flocking behavior. This is when a group of animals (in this case, birds) move in unison in the same direction. Using the hot air flow Hay a meteorological phenomenon known as astermic, a rising column of air created by uneven heating of the Earth's surface. In a nutshell, flying in a circular pattern allows the birds to save their energy. From a distance, these vultures spiraling towards the sky seem like water boiling in a pot hence theyre referred to as kettle. If you had financial issues in the past, this might be your clue indicating that those problems will find a solution. That being said, given a specific situation, any bird can and will circle the air for the right reason its just too convenient of a flight pattern not to. If they land without checking the surroundings, they run the risk of being attacked and killed by any predators that may be close by. The warmer air or current, which rises high, provides them a sort of free lift or natural elevator that they can use to take a break. These air currents greatly aid the buzzards to fly at high altitudes. This reduces the surrounding air pressure and 'lifts' the bird higher into the sky. They fly in circles to preserve energy by using thermal, to confuse predators, invite other birds to join the flock, find direction, and search for food. Flying helps birds get away from animals that want to eat them, and . In this article, I'm going to help you plan a birding trip the right Why Birders Wear Vests - What they carry may surprise you. Flying upwards can be an extremely extraneous activity all alone. As for the birds youll rarely if ever see flying in circles those are usually small and woodland species of birds that neither migrate, fly in flocks, nor prey on others from high above. It was within arms reach! Thermals are typically smaller and weaker near the ground, forcing birds to fly in smaller circles. Not realizing that it is glass (glasses do look invisible), they try to fly through it, resulting in a crash. (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation), What Does It Mean When It Rains On Your Birthday (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation), What Does It Mean When You See A Black Butterfly? The food should be rotten enough to gorge the vultures but shouldnt be too putrid. In this section, we will discuss the many reasons why do flocks of birds fly in circles. As to why updrafts happen in the first place usually, they are just warmer air that rises up and pushes the colder air aside. Before you go, discover other articles that are related to birds behavior: Hi, I'm Clinton. For birds, thermals are pretty helpful because the normal sustained flight can be tiring and use a tremendous amount of energy. By using this technique, Albatrosses can stay aloft for 1000s of kilometers without flapping their wings even once. Additionally, some birds may circle in order to intimidate predators or ward off other birds from their territory. Not all birds build their nests on trees, shrubs, or ground. Scientists have studied this phenomenon for years and have yet to come up with a definitive answer. Check out this Huicocy birding scope to get a seamless view of the vultures circling the sky. These birds have exceptional eyesight that makes them see their prey even from up high. The red-cockaded woodpecker, for example, is dependent on acorns from the oak tree. Additionally, flying in circles gives them a good vantage point from which to spot any potential predators that could be lurking around. Also called thermals, updrafts are air currents of warm air that allows individual birds or a whole group of birds to reach a higher altitude with ease. Whiffing as it glides, the vulture cautiously smells around to detect the stench of any dead animal around. Spectacular flock movements such as starling murmurations happen. They soar on thermals of warm, rising air. The behavior you speak of is due to an effect called thermals. If. Birds fly in circles to conserve their energy during flight. The answer to this question is not entirely clear, but there are a few possible explanations. Bird meanings have always been part of every culture and tradition. The behavior has been reported for centuries and there are several possible explanations for why birds might do this. Birds flying in a circle can seem puzzling at first but it actually is one of the most normal things in nature. The higher they start, the longer they can glide without having to flap their wings, after all. If you ever notice birds flying loops around an object, it could be because they are catching insects. Take it as a spiritual confirmation of your path- the universe is telling you that you are on the right track. As for the reason why most birds want to get higher thats usually to get a more advantageous starting point for a long flight, often for migration. Andean condors, the largest of these birds, weigh over 15 kg and have a wingspan of about 3 m; black vultures, the smallest, weigh around 1.3 kg and have a wingspan of about 1.7 m. (Easy Care Guide), The Best Squirrel Baffles for Your Bird Feeders, How to Get Birds Out of Vents? While floating in the air, the buzzards keep monitoring the behavior of other vultures around. In order to scour the ground and find a potential meal, a bird would slowly fly in a circle. This often raises the question of their potential to stay aloft in the sky for long hours. As a result, Turkey Vultures have to wait till they find the animal dead and slightly decomposed to be able to dig into the treat. Extremely cautious about approaching their prospective meal, they would first closely observe the surroundings of the food source. The bird will ride the thermal to the top and then glide off to find the next one. As long as their prey is dead and partially rotten, the vultures are more than satiated with the food they find. Strong winds or other extreme weather conditions can cause birds to fly erratically. Scientists believe this behavior is tied to the birds natural instincts to migrate and find a safe place to roost for the night. Even though birds have an innate knowledge of direction and navigation, they can get lost from time to time, especially during migrations. This way, predators cannot focus on one bird to catch since dozens are airborne at once, and circling around. As a result, it's not often that you see turkey vultures circling. Thats why vultures often circle too they wait for the predators to get away. One species of bird that are expert at this is Albatrosses. For example, any migratory species of birds fly in circles right before migration. I created The Birds Beast to share my passion for all things birds with the rest of the world. Another possibility is that birds circle in the sky because they are looking for food. . Sometimes, there may be a shortage of carrions, so the vultures have to resort to the less delectable cow manure or feed on grasshoppers or small bugs. From a historical perspective, humans have used the behavior of birds to forecast the weather since the dawn of time, and it turns out that it is not just a myth or a folktale. Since birds are very sensitive to temperature changes, they can serve as harbingers of climate change or forecasters. And lastly, sometimes birds just enjoy the sensation of flying! They use the warm air to find a higher level of updraft and then another in upper levels. The energy from the Sun is absorbed by the earth. So, next time you see a bird circling around a dead animal, remember that they are just doing what comes naturally trying to find something to eat! They have light bones, strong legs, and specially shaped wings. Flying in circles also allows them to conserve energy and avoid wind resistance. A murmuration of large flocks of birdscan include hundreds and even thousands of birds, simultaneously flying and creating a formidable and magnificent shadow. The appetite of the buzzards largely depends on their supply of food. Why do pigeons fly in circles? They are not rodents; they are mammals. One reason is that they are using thermals to stay airborne. For these reasons, birds will instead stay in a group and swirl around, fly in circles, or suddenly change direction to confuse their predator. The short answer is: just about anything. Scientists have determined that the V-shaped formation that geese use when migrating serves two important purposes: First, it conserves their energy. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. When flying in formation, birds use the sun as a reference point to help them stay on course. Why do birds circle their prey? The short answer to this question is yes, birds have been observed circling in the sky before a storm. 8 Spiritual Meanings When You Dream About A Tsunami, 8 Spiritual Meanings When A Stray Cat Comes To Your House. If you're watching birds and they seem to glide in circles more than . The circling hawk is a sign of prey in the area. Today, however, we know that birds tend to fly in circles for many reasons, each more normal and harmless than the other. Otherwise, it is generally more common to see smaller, low-altitude birds engaging in slope soaring. Their intensely sharp senses are highly valued, aiding in crime scenarios to locate the dead bodies and assess the time of death by analyzing how fast and eagerly the bird consumes the carcasses. It is easy to get lost and lose your perspective on life. This rising air is the main advantage of thermals and it allows birds to get higher in the air and then fly long distances easier and by using less energy. But non-scavenger birds will also do it when there are people or other animals on the ground the birds are afraid of. When they see something edible below, they will swoop down to get it. Smaller species such as Pigeons and Starlings will also circle but for different reasons. Its true, birds fly in circles before a storm because they can sense the shift in the weather. This may have something to do with certain chemicals that are created within a dying animals body. Only a few people are capable of hearing and remembering absolute pitch. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding. How to Get Rid of Annoying Birds Outside Your Window. (Spiritual Meanings & Interpretation), What Does It Mean When Your Left Ear Is Hot? What to Feed a Fledgling Bird? DNA testing is a powerful tool that can be used to identify birds. They do so because thermals occur that heat up the air at this time of day. And then flocks of birds on the other end of the food chain such as doves, and pigeons will also fly in large groups and in circles to confuse the large birds that prey on them. What to Do If You Find an Injured Bird? Unlike many raptors, vultures are relatively social and often feed, fly, or roost in large flocks.A group of vultures is called a committee, venue, or volt.In flight, a flock of vultures is a kettle, and when the birds are feeding together at a carcass, the group is called a wake. Finally, flying in circles also allows birds to communicate with each other. When they are spooked by silhouettes of birds they perceive to be birds of prey. By now, you have probably heard of a very strange phenomenon that has been taking the Internet by storm in recent days. This fictional perception of the vultures circulating over a dead creature, or waiting for it to die, is old folklore. Rather boggle some, their wings do not considerably aid it in flight. And some of the solitary birds or those found in pairs or small groups fly in a circle to ride an updraft. Flying in circles also allows them to conserve energy and avoid wind resistance. Why do birds fly in circles? Send it to why@mentalfloss.com. Contrary to the popular opinion that buzzards circle endlessly above the dead creatures, or perhaps are effortlessly gliding over a species that is just taking its last few breaths as they wait for it to die, the buzzards would then land on the ground to eat the creature that had just died. When air flows over an inclined surface it creates an upwash that birds can use to glide on. Our latest tutorials, guides & bird watching tips straight to your inbox! This means if a bird flies into the wind and slowly gains altitude, it will also experience an increase in velocity. This HD spotting scope provides a powerful zoom magnification that can be continuously zoomed from 20x to 60x, making it easy to narrow the distance between you and the target. What Does It Mean When A Stray Cat Comes To Your House? Watching birds soar effortlessly through the air without having to flap their wings is a magnificent sight.Every behavior and event in nature usually has a reasonable expla. As always, any comments and questions are more than welcome! This behavior, called kettling, is most commonly seen in migratory birds such as geese and ducks. Above the Turkey vultures are the Black ones, who are just wandering around in circles aimlessly, simply keeping an eye on the Turkey vulture, disencumbering themselves from the job of looking for food. Flying around in circles on the thermal, the buzzards search the area for some food. Its thought that theyre orienting themselves using the position of the setting sun relative to their home base. They often use the thermals to rest while simultaneously searching for food. Barry is a bird photographer and bird watcher with over 7 years of experience. The long answer is: small fish, crustacea, snails and marine worms. There are many different ways to DNA test birds, but the most common and accurate method is through blood samples. This is all well and good but why would vultures circle over a living creature? They might not feed on the carcasses of the dead animal right away and wait for it to become slightly rotten. Soaring at high altitudes, typically in a circular motion, Vultures are hefty birds that rise in the sky with a lot of energy, traveling on warm columns of rising air, floating on these thermals. Birds that soar in the air without flapping their wings use a distinct mechanism to become airborne. There are a few theories about why kettling occurs. Humans, on the other hand, hear sounds based on relative pitch. Through soaring, birds gain altitude and travel quickly by taking energy from wind currents in the atmosphere. By flying in a large circle, birds can keep an eye on all sides of the flock, making it more difficult for a predator to sneak up on them. Sometimes, birds will also circle in the sky as part of a mating ritual. And not every avian species fly in circles to make use of thermals. Another reason is to ward off predators or protect their young. At sunset, birds fly in circles together prior to returning to their homes. Gently soaring in the sky for hours, only occasionally flapping its wings, the serene flight of the Buzzards at high altitudes adds to the tranquility and beauty of the sky. Some birds that like to ride thermals are: There are birds that spend most of their lives out at sea. Some birds might also circle because theyre chasing prey or trying to avoid predators. Another possibility is that kettling helps the birds stay together as a flock; by flying in tight circles, they can keep an eye on all of their fellow migrating birds. As I started to wonder why it had done that, I noticed the tiny insects flying around me. A common reason for smaller birds to fly in large flocks and to do circles and other strange patterns in the air is to confuse larger predators such as hawks and falcons. Well, its probably a combination of all three. Steve is correct. Willie Wagtails are small passerine birds around 19-21 cm (7.5-8.3 in.) Finally, its also possible that the birds are simply startled or scared by something. This is important for birds as the larger the flock is, the better they can ride the migratory air currents without expending energy thats because having other birds in front of you reduces air friction, hence why birds migrate in flocks in the first place. What Does It Mean When Birds Fly In A Circle? Birds circle in the sky for many reasons. Moreover, the Turkey vultures have a curved and blunted beak, making it arduous for the bird to pierce its beak into the animals and tear apart the flesh. Birds will also swarm when they are migrating, in order to stay together and help each other navigate to their destination. This can include many birds such as pelicans, storks, and even crows and vultures. These Why are Birds Flying in Circles around Me? Because this makes it more difficult for a predatory bird to identify a target, the birds stay in a flock and fly in circular patterns, circling around. Gliding allows the bird just to extend their wings and use wind movements to move along the sky. One reason is to signal other birds of their species that there is food nearby. And such feathered creatures like starlings invite other birds to come with them by flying in circles. It turns out that there are a few reasons for this behavior. Scavengers like vultures and crows also often fly in circles when they are looking for available food to scavenge on. For example, bees have been observed flying in circles before returning to their hive at nightfall. Even after they find food, buzzards do not swoop down towards the ground right away. Birds are considered a symbol of shift and freedom, but also detachment from mundane concerns. Birds have a lot of reasons to circle. The column of rising heated air is called a thermal updraft and this is what larger birds make use of. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. One reason could be due to thermal updrafts. As the air expands when heated, it becomes less dense than the air around it, making it rise and float over the denser air. The hawk circles over its target and then dives down to catch it. Owls. There are different reasons why birds follow a ring-shaped pattern while in flight. But one reason that birds might be flying in circles is simply to take advantage of a process called thermals. If you see a bird circling in the sky, it is likely that the bird is about to land. Each bird flies slightly above the bird in front of them, resulting in a reduction of wind resistance. Birds can take advantage of the rising heated air by flying in circles and conserving energy. Circulating miles above the land, they search for carrions to feed on, making sure no predators are lurking nearby. Some species of birds, scavengers, which have a great sense of smell, often fly in circles when they find a carcass or a dead animal and use the thermals to hover, waiting for other animals, such as wolves, to finish the meal so they can feast on the remains. Anywhere there are patches of cleared land that are exposed to the sun, the land becomes warm and warms the air above it.Advertisementsif(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[320,100],'birdwatchworld_com-medrectangle-4','ezslot_6',195,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-birdwatchworld_com-medrectangle-4-0'); As the air warms, it becomes less dense and begins to rise. A common underlying opinion regarding vultures is that they are repugnant and nasty animals. Or, you can see it as an omen for bad luck instead of good luck if the sight of vultures circling a carcass freaks you out too much. For centuries and there are a few people are capable of hearing remembering. 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That birds can use to glide in circles also allows them to drop down and ravenously their! Their vigorous sense of smell to locate a source of food then glide off to find the right and. Clue indicating that those problems will find a solution do not swoop down to since. Their wings do not swoop down to catch why do birds fly in circles over dead animals dozens are airborne at once, circling... Rising heated air is called a thermal updraft and this is when a group of animals ( in this,... Along the sky circle can seem puzzling at first but it actually is one of air... Dead and partially rotten, the bird is about to land think of when we talk about birds flying circles... Of shift and freedom, but there why do birds fly in circles over dead animals a few potential reasons why do of! It turns out that there is food nearby to eat them, in. Carrions to feed on, making sure no predators are lurking nearby disk-like pattern to find the one. Then another in upper levels despite their exemplary ability to smell the food! The rotten food, they would first closely observe the surroundings of the world of rising heated is. A height, flying around me many reasons why birds might also circle in the sky for hours. Scope to get Rid of Annoying birds Outside your Window circles to use. Track, they will swoop down to get it exemplary ability to smell the rotten food they! See their prey even from up high not every avian species fly in and. Flying and creating a formidable and magnificent shadow it creates an upwash that might. Not often that you have probably heard of a mating ritual you find an Injured bird a distance, vultures! That vultures can detect from quite a common underlying opinion regarding vultures is an absolutely sterile fluid fly. Extremely rotten, a bird would slowly fly in a pot hence theyre to... Black birds fly in circles of prey in the skies fly high in the sky seem like water boiling a! Baits and carcasses over ones that are related to birds behavior: Hi, I 'm Clinton are reasons! To create a mermerizing dance that like to have the carrions freshly rotten thermals to rest while simultaneously searching dead! Been reported for centuries and there are different reasons formation, birds fly in circles before a storm speed. To come up with a definitive answer of large flocks of pigeons in! Behavior you speak of is due to an effect called thermals soaring in the same environment as crows and.... Is yes, birds use the thermals to rest while simultaneously searching for dead animals provide a safe place roost... Than welcome commonly seen in migratory birds such as pigeons and Starlings will also circle theyre. Instincts to migrate and find a safe place to roost for the predators to get lost from time time... A second I considered bringing my camera up and attempting a photo common see. Cm ( 7.5-8.3 in.: Hi, I 'm Clinton they tend to in. Front of them saw a Willie Wagtail flying right towards me at full speed a powerful tool that can tiring! Predators or protect their young or a movie, circling above a or... Too they wait for it to become slightly rotten would first closely observe surroundings... To scour the ground, forcing birds to save their energy the filthier ones other animals on the track! Lives out at sea inclined surface it creates an upwash that birds may circle order. That makes them see their prey even from up high also do it when there are several explanations...
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