Observations of mixed-species bird flocks at Kichwa Tembo Camp, Kenya

Gordon, Alasdair I.V. and Harrison, Nancy M. (2010) Observations of mixed-species bird flocks at Kichwa Tembo Camp, Kenya. Ostrich: Journal of African Ornithology. ISSN 0030-6525

Preview

Text Available under the following license: Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial No Derivatives. Download (111kB) | Preview

Abstract

Mixed-species foraging flocks were studied at Kichwa Tembo Camp on the edge the Masia Mara National Reserve in Kenya between July and September 2004. Observations were made on 29 mixed-species flocks, in which 24 species participated. African Paradise Flycatcher Terpsiphone viridis, Black-backed Puffback Dryoscopus cubla, Grey-backed Cameroptera Camaroptera brachyura, Collard Sunbird Hedydipna collaris and Cabanis’s Greenbul Phyllastrephus cabanisi were the most common participants in mixed-species flocks, as well as among the most frequently encountered bird species overall. The Black-backed Puffback was identified as the nuclear species in flocks due to their abundance and frequency with which they were followed by other species. Mixed-species flocks represent another niche dimension in this diverse bird community, but few of these species could be described as flock specialists; most of the birds observed in mixed-species flocks in this study were opportunistic attendant species, including the African Pygmy Kingfisher Ispidina picta, not previously described as joining mixed-species flocks.

Actions (login required)

Edit Item