Woodpecker Participation in Mixed Species Flocks in Peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

Woodpeckers (family Picidae) are widely distributed and have been documented as participants in mixed species flocks in both temperate and tropical regions. However, they usually are not considered frequent flock participants, and the presence of multiple species of woodpeckers participating simultaneously in flocks is virtually undocumented. We determined the frequency of this association for the six most common woodpecker species at Pasoh Forest Reserve, West Malaysia. During the two-month study period, woodpeckers participated regularly in flocks with other woodpecker species, including congeners. Observations of multiple species of woodpeckers participating in foraging flocks in other parts of Malaysia, as well as Thailand and Indonesia, suggest that this might be a regular occurrence in Southeast Asia.