Vocal species are more central in Eastern Himalayan mixed-species bird flocks

ABSTRACT Mixed-species flocks (MSF) represent an important form of social organisation in bird communities worldwide. Despite its likely importance in flock formation and cohesion, the role of vocal communication in the formation and maintenance of MSF in birds is hitherto understudied. In this study, we examine if a species’ centrality within a mixed-species flock is influenced by its vocal behaviour during the dawn chorus, i.e., the time of MSF formation. Using acoustic sampling and field observations, we studied the bird species found in MSF in the Eastern Himalayas. Our results show differential vocal activity patterns among MSF-forming bird species and suggest a positive correlation between calling rates and closeness centrality (species’ importance in a flock) in understory MSFs. We also found a more synchronised vocalisation pattern in the understory MSFs, with a consistent peak in vocal activity in the early morning hours, whereas no consistent vocal pattern was found for canopy flocks. Overall, our results suggest a potential mechanism that drives MSF formation wherein the vocal activity of central species precedes and likely attracts participation from other attendant species.