WINTER MIXED-SPECIES FORAGING FLOCKS IN ACACIA WOODLANDS OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA
| Posted: |
20/07/2021 |
| Author(s): |
Harry F. Recher, William E. Davis JR |
A mixed-species foraging flock of more than 100 individuals and up to ten species was monitored over
five days in winter in Acacia woodland near Gascoyne Junction, Western Australia. The flock had a core of
five species, including Budgerigars
Melopsittacus undulatus, woodswallows and chats, plus eleven other species,
which joined the flock as it passed through their territories. Budgerigars were the lead species. Other large
mixed species foraging flocks led by woodswallows were observed near Mt. Magnet. Budgerigars were absent
from the Mt. Magnet flocks which otherwise contained the same core species and up to 12 additional species.
The core species were birds that move seasonally in response to food availability and the large size of the
Gascoyne and Mt. Magnet flocks relative to most previously reported mixed species foraging flocks in Australia
may reflect the abundance of food following rain in these Acacia woodlands.
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