As birders and wildlife enthusiasts, we can't help but marvel at large gatherings of birds. Many bird species spend time in flocks that can range in size from just a few birds to tens of thousands, even millions. Flocks of birds, whether they be in the air or on the ground, can offer a magnificent spectacle. Gina Nichols’ presentation asks the question, why do birds form flocks? It explores the phenomenon of bird gatherings with vivid photographs, anecdotes and video clips and delves into the intriguing dynamics of assemblies of birds. The choreography of mass movements such as starling murmurations is examined and the benefits of flocking behavior are examined as they relate to breeding, protection, and even avian baby sitting services. The advantages and disadvantages of flocking are discussed and collective names used to identify groups of birds are presented.
A naturalist and birder for more than thirty years, Gina first became fascinated with the natural world in rural upstate New York where she spent most of her childhood out of doors. In 2005, Gina founded Sunrise Birding, LLC to offer personalized, authentic, affordable private and small group bird watching and wildlife tours around the world.