Advantages of Foraging in Flocks in African Mourning Dove Streptopeliadecipiens

Dawi Musa Hamed, Abdalla A. El-Tohami

Abstract: Field Observations were made on the Mourning Dove Streptopelia decipiens, under natural conditions at Hantub and Khartoum, Sudan. Data are provided on vigilance and pecking in individuals foraging alone, as members of pairs and as members of flocks. Measurements were also made on reaction and flight distances for different flock sizes. The result obtained tends to support the hypothesis that birds gain feeding and anti-predator advantages by formation of flocks.

Keywords: Foraging, Predators, Vigilance, Flock size, Reaction distance and Flight distance