Greylag geese spotted drafting alongside moving boat
A viral Bluesky post of geese flying in formation next to a boat sparks debate over whether the footage is real or AI-generated.
What to know
- A viral Bluesky post of geese flying alongside a boat sparked immediate debate over authenticity, with commenters split on whether the footage is real or AI-generated.
- Multiple commenters explained the behavior as documented aerodynamic drafting, in which birds ride a boat's slipstream and use vortices to reduce wing effort—a phenomenon with historical video evidence predating AI.
- Skeptics persisted despite explanations, with some arguing the aerodynamics don't work at water level and others claiming the geese must be trained rather than wild.
The dispute Whether the video depicts real wild geese behavior or is AI-generated/shows trained birds—skeptics cite the impossibility of drafting at water level, while defenders point to decades of documented footage of this exact behavior. · positions read across 65 posts and comments
The behavior is real and documented; geese do draft behind boats and vehicles.
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“Riding the vortices. See how the closest doesn't even have to flap.”
elliottcb.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The video is likely AI-generated or the geese are trained; wild geese would not naturally behave this way.
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“Is it real? My enjoyment of photos and video is diminished by not knowing for sure it's not AI.”
ddunn1234.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
The footage displays genuine wildlife behavior regardless of authenticity; the birds' intelligence and the moment's beauty matter more than verification.
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“Cruising using the boat wind generated by movement. Bet they've done this before. Animals are stupid? PFFFT! Far more intelligent than many humans.”
bhippo.bsky.social · Bluesky ↗
dapperdondharshi.bsky.social Bluesky poster
How it unfolded 6 developments, newest first · click a bar or a number to jump postscomments
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6
User claims geese are trained, cites Attenborough precedent
A commenter argued that wild geese would not perform this behavior and that trained birds were likely involved, referencing a David Attenborough nature show that used trained geese for similar footage.
“I guarantee you that these are trained geese because wild geese simply will not do this.”
— jeriwesterson.bsky.social -
VASTLY more intelligent than this entire tRUMP Cabinet & Administration!!! 🦅🦆🦢🦃🐓🦉
2 more of the top 3 · 32 posts in this stretch
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There’s an American film too, Fly away home, with the same plot:
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I’m so glad you shared this information, because the last time I saw a video like that on YouTube, all the comments were against the boaters, claiming the boat interrupted a formation already in progress. And i didn’t want to believe that version 😏. I want to believe the birds benefitted. 💙💙
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Users provide historical context for bird drafting behavior
Commenters cited pre-AI videos of this behavior and explained the aerodynamic principles, including a reference to a French film about geese following a hydroflight to Norway.
“I understand the suspicion entirely, but am delighted to inform you that there are actually videos of geese doing this kind of thing going back years before AI and even before CGI.”
— norlyn.bsky.social -
There’s a French film about a boy who raised a flock of goslings to follow his hydroflight & flew them to Norway to learn their migration paths-it’s called ‘Donne-moi tes ailes’-Give me your wings…it’s a true story and absolutely amazing
2 more of the top 3 · 19 posts in this stretch
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Perfect video of smart geese drafting happily.
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I understand the suspicion entirely, but am delighted to inform you that there are actually videos of geese doing this kind of thing going back years before AI and even before CGI. They're "drafting", riding the boat's slipstream, and flying close to the water's surface can be easier than higher.
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Persistent skeptics argue footage may be AI
Some commenters maintained skepticism despite explanations, with one claiming the lead goose couldn't glide near the water's surface and calling for people to resist sharing such content.
“AI slop. The lead goose would neve be able to glide like that so close to the surface. There are no updrafts there.”
— bigtparker.bsky.social -
Cruising using the boat wind generated by movement. Bet they've done this before. Animals are stupid? PFFFT! Far more intelligent than many humans.
2 more of the top 3 · 8 posts in this stretch
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Riding the vortices. See how the closest doesn't even have to flap.
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DD 🤷♂️ seriously You constantly and insistently Remind me That their is always hope and so much potential in humanity Upon this earth The youngest specie 🫵🤰🤱 Take care of it please 👉🌏😎🫶😘🕊️🙏
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Authenticity skepticism emerges in comments
Within an hour, commenters began questioning whether the video was real or AI-generated, with several expressing doubt about the footage's authenticity.
“Is it real? My enjoyment of photos and video is diminished by not knowing for sure it's not AI.”
— ddunn1234.bsky.social -
Is it real? My enjoyment of photos and video is diminished by not knowing for sure it’s not AI.
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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Did you know why, when geese fly in a v-formation, there's always one side that is longer than the other? . . . That's because there are more geese on that side!
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Commenters explain the aerodynamics of bird drafting
Multiple commenters identified the behavior as birds riding the boat's slipstream and using vortices to reduce flapping effort, describing it as a real documented phenomenon.
“Riding the vortices. See how the closest doesn't even have to flap.”
— elliottcb.bsky.social -
And using the slipstream instead of flapping.
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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D
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Sue! Have an awesome day. 😊
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User posts video of geese flying alongside boat
Dapperdondharshi posted a video on Bluesky showing greylag geese flying in formation next to a boat, describing it as an incredible moment to witness.
“Greylag geese flying in formation alongside a boat. What an incredible moment to witness up close! 🪿🚤…”
— dapperdondharshi.bsky.social -
Greylag geese flying in formation alongside a boat. What an incredible moment to witness up close! 🪿🚤
1 more of the top 2 · 2 posts in this stretch
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I wonder how their mph compares to usual!
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What people are saying 10 voices from 1 site · best of 65 · verbatim
- Sep 21
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That is a pretty neat trick.The goose is slip streaming the boat and flying without flapping his wings.
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#BlueskyStore If you were late last time, don’t miss this chance—order now: bluesky-store.
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Really appreciate that! There’s still plenty of good out there. 😎🙏🏾😁
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Too big for you Gloo mate. You should try a little sparrow or something more your size
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I rode a ferry not too long ago for work and it was pretty amusing how seagulls would basically do the same thing, with the added benefit of being able to touch down on the front of the boat and take a break every so often, then basically spread their wings and just zoop back into the air.
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Birds using the slipstream of a vehicle for a boost is an actual thing, and yes, they will in fact fly anywhere from inches to a few feet above the water. The close surface of the water interrupts the formation of turbulant vortices under their wings, and flying that low can increase lift.
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When driving the Causeway over Lake Ponchatrain, the pelicans do this, too. They ride the air currents.
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They are riding the vortices off the boat, so cool.
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Using the pull of the boat for ease of glide. Like a Toyota hatchback riding the tail end of a semi for those sweet sweet petrol savings.
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Yes, this does happen, there are other videos online that exist before AI was a major problem. Can't verify if THIS video is a real moment captured.