“Birds of a feather flock together” is a proverb used primarily to describe the behavior of some human beings.

People with similar interests and probably similar ages may have similar activities, food likes, vacation ideas, etc. And often those folks do tend to closely interact and do those things with their similar peers.

The proverb actually derived from people observing many birds’ behaviors. But do all birds really flock together?

I thought I’d discuss this topic after observing over the past few weeks many flocks of starlings, blackbirds and even mourning doves. Indeed, starlings in particular are seldom alone. At this time of the year when their populations are at their highest, the adults and many young of the year birds feed together.

There are a few reasons why flocking behavior is an advantage to some species. The number one reason is actually better success in avoiding predators.

Bird-eating hawks/raptors actually find it much more difficult to catch an individual starling from out of a feeding flock. First, there are so many sets of eyes in a flock of starlings and almost for sure, one of them will catch a glimpse of a Cooper’s hawk making a dive into the flock and alerts the others to scatter.

The scattering is even more helpful. It is extremely difficult for a hawk/raptor to pick out an individual prey as a flock of, let’s say, 100 birds get airborne at the same time.

Apparently, flocking also helps teach younger birds skills at finding the right food and it is a learning experience for them.

But I am familiar with the fact that flocking isn’t only done with the same species. I have spent many long days sitting in the “deer woods” in late November and early December. Even though it is usually cold, I sometimes sit all day, tucked away behind some camo and I become part of the woods.

Sitting quietly and moving very little, I’ve watched fox, coyotes, turkeys, deer (if I’m lucky) and a variety of our winter birds. Most of those birds aren’t alone. The hemlocks, white pines and birch trees host chickadees, tufted titmice, downy woodpeckers and golden-crowned kinglets. They seem to move through in waves.

Seldom do I see just a flock of chickadees plucking hibernating spiders and insects from the bark and needles. Groups of titmice are feeding near them looking for some seeds. Meanwhile, a downy woodpecker or two feed along some of the dead limbs or trees.

Higher in the trees, kinglets are flitting from branch to branch gathering prey too small for me to see. In a half-hour they are gone. Later, another group, or possibly the same ones, are here again. So, flocking in mixed species probably offers the same advantage. Ten or 15 sets of eyes are more likely to spot that Cooper’s hawk trying to slip in to grab one of them for its meal. Safety in numbers could be the rule here.

But there are species that are never seen in flocks. Our local mockingbirds are almost always alone. Along a stream, you’ll probably see a lone great blue heron or green heron looking for their aquatic prey. Owls and hawks are solitary birds as well. The local house wren that just finished nesting in your yard is another example of a solitary bird. And virtually all of our warblers, thrushes, vireos and flycatcher species do not gather in flocks either.

After reading this column, take note over the next few seasons of those birds that flock together and those that live a rather solitary life. So, get out there. …

Test Your Outdoor Knowledge: What local bird, on cold nights like we’ve had this week, goes into a state of torpor (reduced body temperature and metabolism)? A. catbird; B. cardinal; C. house wren; D. hummingbird.

Last Week’s Trivia Answer: Female ruby-throated hummingbirds generally live about two years longer than the males.

Email Barry Reed at breed71@gmail.com