I love my 7D for flight both for single birds and for groups, especially for groups coming right at you where I believe that 7D is superb, likely out-performing the MIV.
I have found that using rear focus increases my keeper rate. I believe that Doug Brown likes AF Point Expansion (Manual selection). I rarely use that one and I rarely use central sensor only (Single Point AF/Manual selection). That leaves only three :) My preferred AF Area Selection Mode is one of the many killer tips in my
7D User's Guide. If you check out the various blog posts and Bulletin features on the 7D it is not too hard to figure out which one I use 95% of the time.