Thursday, March 7, 2013

Communal Roosting Phenomena

What: I counted easily 800 American Crows on my walk home from work.
Where: About 500 were roosting around Spring Lake and another 300 were at Linden Yards
When: Monday, March 4, 2013
Observers: Abbie
Conditions: A snowy day, with predictions that by Tuesday morning, there might be 10 inches

What: A flock of about 25 Mallards repeatedly circling in low flight. I've seen this happen on other winter nights, even during remarkably strong winds. I think this is a communal roosting behavior, but it seems like a lot of energy to expend. What's going on that the ducks are compelled to fly around and around before settling for the night?
Where: North edge of Theodore Wirth Park
When: Thursday, March 7, just before 6 and before sunset
Observers: Abbie

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