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Flocking Behavior in Birds

Looking at the benefits of being in a flock, and the mechanics of how flocks work.

Episode:
57
Date:
August 7, 2022
Categories:

Listen to the Episode

Flocking Behavior in Birds

Summary

This episode—which is Number 57— is all about the flocking behavior of birds.

Birds of many species spend at least part of their yearly cycle hanging out in groups. This could be just a handful of individuals or it could be a gathering of millions of birds.

Today, we’ll look at some explanations for why—as the saying goes—birds of a feather flock together. What benefits do birds get from forming groups like this?

We’ll also look at how flocks work. As in, their mechanics. For example, how do birds communicate and coordinate their movements in a flock?

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Links of Interest

Research Citations

Photos

Dunlin (Calidris alpina). Photo by Mykola Swarny/Unsplash
Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata). Photo by SK Yeong/Unsplash
Crested Pigeon (Ocyphaps lophotes). Photo by CK/Unsplash
European Starling (Sturnus vulgaris). Photo by Joshua J Cotton/Unsplash
Murmuration of European Starlings (Sturnus vulgaris). Photo by Airwolfhound/Wikimedia

Attributions

  • American Robin sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC130246)
  • Scaly-breasted Munia sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC585396)
  • Dunlin sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC626245)
  • Crested PIgeon sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC443064)
  • Mourning Dove sounds (Xeno Canto recording XC153648)

This work by Ivan Phillipsen is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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