Whoever coined that phrase noticed that when birds group together, they are usually of the same kind. But, what benefit do birds get from flocking?
Whether in a breeding color or a roost, birds in a flock are known to share information. Sometimes, the more successful members inform the others of the best places to find food.
Some birds group together in preparation for the fall migration. In August, flocks of purple martins can approach one-half million individuals. Presumably, in groups they are better able to find their way south.
Birds also flock to avoid being eaten. With more eyes, they can better detect predators. Scientists have found older, larger or more dominant members at the center of the flock. Sometimes, two or more kinds of birds join in a feeding flock for mutual benefit. The more vigilant species acts as a sentinel against predators, while the other species detect food for the whole flock.
In short, the reason birds flock together is explained by two other old sayings: “Two heads are better than one,” and “There is safety in numbers.”
It’s prime time for bird watching. Ducks and geese that travel through Missouri in fall are coming from their nesting areas in the upper Midwest and southern Canada. When ponds and lakes in the north start to freeze and food becomes scarce, these waterfowl move southward to warmer climates. For most, the Midwest is only a stopover for resting and refueling with food. Find out more about the migration in the video below.
Birding in Missouri
With fall migration in full swing, it’s a great time for birding in Missouri. Here are a few areas around the state that are prime spots to detect migrating birds.
- Loess Bluffs National Wildlife Refuge: An extensive wetland in the Missouri River floodplain, this area abounds in geese, ducks and shorebirds during the spring and fall migrations. Located southwest of Mound City, the east entrance and visitor center is 2.3 miles west of I-29 by U.S. 159.
- Swan Lake National Wildlife Refuge and Fountain Grove Conservation Area: In proximity to each other, these prime wetland areas along the Grand River attract waterfowl and shorebirds during migration. Both areas are reached by Highway 139 south of U.S. 36 and west of Brookfield.
- Ted Shanks Conservation Area: Stretching nearly seven miles along the Mississippi River, this area provides extensive marshlands and bottomland forests for many types of birds in all seasons. The forests provide nesting habitat for wood ducks and prothonotary warblers. Rails and bitterns may be found in the pools, and egrets and waterfowl are plentiful in spring and fall. Travel 19 miles south of Hannibal on Highway 79, then one mile east on TT.
Find more birding spots with our birding guide.
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