Summary

Sometimes birds of many feathers flock together. Mixed-species Foraging flocks are seen in forests all across the world. Different combinations of species are found in each region.

First, we talk about what these flocks look and act like. Then we get into the major scientific hypotheses for why mixed-species flocks exist at all.

Research Citations

• Why do birds participate in mixed-species foraging flocks? A large-scale synthesis (Sridhar, Beauchamp, and Shanker. 2009. Animal Behaviour)
• The advantages of social foraging in downy woodpeckers (Sullivan. 1984. Animal Behaviour)
• Vocal mimicry by a passerine bird attracts other species involved in mixed-species flocks (Goodale and Kotagama. 2006. Animal Behaviour)
  

Photos of some birds mentioned