Birds who flock together become firm friends

It is often said that birds of a feather flock together.

In fact, birds who flock together become firm friends and even set up home near each other.

A study of great tits found that when the birds settle down to breed in the spring, they chose sites near the flockmates they spent the most time with over the winter.

Researcher Josh Firth said studied great tits that live in woods.

The birds wore ankle tags that provide information on which feeding boxes they visit.

During the winter, the green and yellow birds formed large, loose flocks which roamed the woodland in search of food, covering up to two miles a day.

But, come spring, a mated pair would chose a nesting site and not venture more than 300ft (91 metres) from it for several months.

The data from the tags showed they settled down near the birds they spent most time with in the flock.

And ‘best friends’ picked nesting sites that shared a boundary – much like next door neighbours with a shared garden fence.

Dr Firth, a zoologist, said: The birds seem to be choosing locations where they share a boundary with their closest friends, creating hubs of friendship.’

Great tits have an average lifespan of just a year and a half but those who were long-lived did seem to form lasting friendships.

Dr Firth only studied great tits but he believe may other wild birds will follow a similar strategy.

He has previously shown that the great tits are loyal lovers, as well as loyal friends.

In a study, he described how the birds would go hungry in order to stay close to their mate.

And it was not just the females who were lovey-dovey. Males also stuck by their other half, instead of flying off to search for food.

Source: daily mail

N.H.Kh