Flocking behavior of forest birds in Hong Kong, South China

Abstract

This paper reports observations of flocking behavior of birds in a well-protected secondary forest in Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China. A total of 1025 flocks including 5255 birds and 48 species were observed between October 2002 and November 2003. Most flocks consisted of only one species. The observed flocks averaged 1.79 ± 0.05 (SE) species and 5.13 ± 0.18 (SE) birds. The Japanese White-eye was the most numerous species and was present in 21.6% of the observed flocks. Seasonal trends in both flock size and number of species were similar to those in overall bird density and species richness in the study area reported in a previous study.

Keywords

Forest bird / Forest / Flock / Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve / Hong Kong special administrative region

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