Content area

Abstract

The flock formation of bird species is a crucial behavioral process that enables them to colonize urban areas. However, the factors influencing the structure and composition of ground-feeding bird flocks have not yet been analyzed. This study aimed to relate flock characteristics, including size, number, species richness, and composition, to local and landscape factors in the urban parks of Buenos Aires City, Argentina. Surveys of flocks were conducted in 16 parks during the breeding season, covering both mono-specific and mixed-species flocks. Flock numbers were positively correlated with tree, lawn, and bare ground cover but negatively associated with raptor presence in the parks. Flock species richness declined with increased noise and pedestrian traffic but rose in parks where raptors were present. The composition of species in flocks was linked to tree cover, noise, and the presence of raptors. While the Rock Dove (Columba livia) and the Rufous-bellied Thrush (Turdus rufiventris) were more abundant in parks with greater tree cover, the Eared Dove (Zenaida auriculata) and the Monk Parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus) showed increased abundance in more open parks. Zenaida auriculata and Columba livia experienced a decline in abundance in parks where raptors were present. Our findings indicate that resource availability and predation risk are crucial factors shaping flock formation in urban parks.

Details

1009240
Location
Title
Local and Landscape Drivers of Ground Bird Flocking Behavior in Urban Parks of Buenos Aires City, Argentina
Publication title
Birds; Rovaniemi
Volume
6
Issue
2
First page
23
Publication year
2025
Publication date
2025
Publisher
MDPI AG
Place of publication
Rovaniemi
Country of publication
Switzerland
Publication subject
ISSN
26736004
Source type
Scholarly Journal
Language of publication
English
Document type
Journal Article
Publication history
 
 
Online publication date
2025-05-01
Milestone dates
2025-03-09 (Received); 2025-04-23 (Accepted)
Publication history
 
 
   First posting date
01 May 2025
ProQuest document ID
3223879687
Document URL
https://www.proquest.com/scholarly-journals/local-landscape-drivers-ground-bird-flocking/docview/3223879687/se-2?accountid=208611
Copyright
© 2025 by the author. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Notwithstanding the ProQuest Terms and Conditions, you may use this content in accordance with the terms of the License.
Last updated
2025-11-19
Database
ProQuest One Academic