Title
Patterns of species participation across multiple mixed-species flock types in a tropical forest in northeastern india
Author(s)
Srinivasan, U.;Raza, R. H.;Quader, S.
Published
2012
Publisher
Journal of Natural History
Abstract
We studied mixed-species bird flocks in northeastern India to (a) develop a framework for quantifying species participation in mixed-species flocks, (b) characterize the ecology and behaviour of participant species, and (c) explore mechanisms influencing the coexistence of different mixed-species flock types. To characterize participation in mixed-species flocks, we implement a new method incorporating species abundances, minimizing potential biases in measuring participation arising from differences in the availability of flocking species. There are at least three distinct flock types in the lowland forests of northeastern India; these flock types differ in the body mass and vertical stratum use of participant species. The "core" of mixed-species flocks was composed of a species group that differed much more in their foraging method in comparison with "attendant" species. The exchange of benefits and minimization of interspecific competition might lead to, and maintain, heterogeneity in foraging methods among core species of mixed-species flocks. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
Keywords
attendant species;core species;feeding guild;insectivore;mixed-species flock

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PUB14794