Birds that hang together: Season of flocks

Written by Jack Sanders
Thursday, 24 September 2009 13:06

With breeding season past, most birds are gathering in groups or flocks, some to migrate and others spend the winter here. Often those flocks are mixed, containing more than one species. For instance, chickadees, titmice and Song Sparrows often hang out together.

Even during breeding season, some birds form colonies of mixed species, especially shore birds, which often require the same kind of terrain and food availabilities. Gulls and terns may nest together. Egrets, herons and ibises may inhabit the same colony. Ducks have been found mixed in with a colony of gulls.

Species in mixed groups share similar tastes for food and territory, are generally around the same size, and, of course, are not a threat to one another.

Flocks or groups have advantages. The more birds there are together, the less the chance any one will be caught by a predator. Flocks can also better defend themselves through mobbing a predator, and collectively have many eyes to spot danger. Those numerous eyes also increase the chance of finding food sources while foraging.

This week, we have two examples of mixed flocks, but both seem to be examples of loners who adopted — or were adopted by — flocks for protection.

Lone duck

Vi Patek of South Salem reports that, “for the past couple of weeks I have noticed a female Wood Duck amidst a small flock of female Mallards. Her eye ring, size, bill size, and all other markings are very clear. Her call is nothing like that of a Mallard.

“She acts like the Mallards most of the time and copies their actions sometimes, but sometimes she zooms around in her own way. Could she have joined a flock of baby mallards and imprinted on them?”

Yellow escapee

Vivian Hale of Darien recently noticed something different in the way of a mixed group — “a bright yellow bird among a flock of sparrows on the lawn across the street from my home. For a split second, I thought ‘goldfinch,’ but no — even brighter yellow, a bit larger, no black wing markings.

“I stepped closer and, to my surprise and delight, saw a parakeet pecking on the lawn with his/her adopted flock! As I stepped even closer, the flock took to the air, along with the clearly parrot-shaped little escapee.

“It was really fun to see this strange sight, but can the budgie survive the winter? Is it too easy a mark for predators? Why would the sparrows accept this new member when it puts them all at a bit of increased risk of predation? Ah, the dangers of beauty! Anyway, if anyone is missing a yellow parakeet, it is so far alive and well, and living as a very beautiful sparrow.”

A budgerigar, the official name for what we call a parakeet or “budgie,” is a native of Australia that would probably not survive a Connecticut winter. Budgie aficionados often have the wing feathers of their pets clipped so that, if they escape, they cannot fly away.

Farewell

Our Ruby-throated Hummingbirds have departed, but we will leave the feeders up in case some migrating hummers pass through and need a drink. We also noticed that the House Wren that spent each night this summer in a basket by the front door has departed for warmer climates.

Coming Up

Swallow Spectacular, up to 500,000 Tree Swallows gathering on the lower Connecticut River, sunset cruises, Sept. 25, 27, and 30, $35, Connecticut Audubon, Essex, 860-767-0660

Block Island Weekend, three-day fall migration birding trip, Oct. 2 to 4, Connecticut Audubon, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 800-996-8747.

Hook Mountain Hawk Watch, on the Hudson River, with Audubon Greenwich, includes moderate half-mile uphill hike, Saturday, Oct. 17, 9 to 3, RSVP with Ted at 203-869-5272 x230.

Cove Island Park Bird Sanctuary, migrants and shorebirds in Stamford, Sunday, Oct. 18, 8 to 11 a.m., Greenwich Audubon, RSVP required: Call Brian 203-869-5272 x221.

Autumn Migration Bird Walks, every Saturday, 7 to 8:45 a.m., in September meet at Audubon Greenwich, 613 Riversville Road; in October, at Fairchild Sanctuary, North Porchuck Road in Greenwich, free, 203-869-5272 x221, greenwich.audubon.org

Bird Walks with Luke Tiller: to register, sunrisebirding.com/walks.htm; 203-981-9924, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

First Sundays, birding at Greenwich Point with Meredith Sampson of Wild Wings, and other guides, meet at the second concession stand, 203-637-9822.

Copyright (c) 2009 by Jack Sanders. Send sightings or comments to: jackfsanders [at sign] yahoo.com, or to Bird Notes, Box 1019, Ridgefield, CT 06877; or call 203-438-1183, extension BIRD (2473), and leave a message with your report, spelling your first and last names and telling us your town. If you need help identifying a bird, try your local nature center. If you find an injured bird, call wildlife rehabilitator Darlene Wimbrow of Redding, 203-438-0618, Wildlife in Crisis of Weston, 203-544-9913, or Wild Wings of Greenwich, 203-637-9822. The columnist’s website is www. sandersbooks. com.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites