Costs and Benefits
Several evolutionary mechanisms have been proposed to explain the formation of mixed-species flocks. These are usually described in terms of the costs and benefits to individuals. The key benefits that have been suggested are a reduction in predation risk through increased vigilance, that is, more eyes that can spot predators and raise an alarm and increased foraging efficiency. Costs could include the risk of kleptoparasitism.
Read more about this topic: Mixed-species Foraging Flock
Famous quotes containing the words costs and/or benefits:
“That which costs little is less valued.”
—Miguel De Cervantes (1547–1616)
“In America the young are always ready to give to those who are older than themselves the full benefits of their inexperience.”
—Oscar Wilde (1854–1900)