Many bird species gather in large flocks during the colder months to improve their search for food and to decrease their risk of predation. Even non-birders likely note the massive flocks of starlings, blackbirds, robins and mourning doves that move across farmlands and sometimes invade our neighborhoods.
Other songbirds tend to gather in feeding groups for the same purposes. These mixed flocks usually include chickadees, titmice, downy woodpeckers, blue jays, cardinals, nuthatches and a host of sparrows, juncos and finches. Absent for periods of time, these groups suddenly turn up in our yards, scouring the trees and shrubs or swarming the feeders.
All of these roaming winter flocks attract the attention of predators and draw in rare loners as well, further enhancing the spectacle for birders. While we look forward to the spring and fall migrations for their pure diversity of species, it is winter that delivers the numbers.
