WINTER IS A GREAT TIME TO LOOK FOR MIXED FLOCKS OF BIRDS FLYING ABOUT LOOKING FOR FOOD
backyardwildlifeconnection by Terry W.Johnson
Winter is a super time to look for flocks composed of different species of birds moving about looking for food. When we are fortunate enough to spot such a flock, we can sometimes see birds that we rarely, if ever, see in our yards.
Flocks can be composed of a variety of species, however, often the individuals found in a flock are similar in size and share the same food preferences. Some of the birds that form such flocks include kinglets, Carolina chickadees, brown creepers, yellow-rumped warblers, nuthatches, and tufted titmice.
A number of theories have been advanced to explain this behavior; however, nobody knows for sure why birds engage in this behavior. One theory suggests that being a member of flock reduces a bird’s chance of being caught by a predator. Others believe that birds in a flock have a greater chance of finding food than birds foraging on their own. Who knows?
I rarely see mixed feeding flocks. However, when I have seen one, it was always something special. If you have seen such a flock, I would like to know about it.
