When the weather turns colder, many birds forage in mixed-species flocks. The research community consensus is that by being part of a mixed-species flock, small insectivorous birds gain protection from predators and become more efficient in their search for food.
Researchers continue to study mixed-species flocks to uncover their social dynamics and how external factors influence their behavior. One study of mixed-species flocks found that habitat density and background noise did not affect problem-solving abilities, but that the size and individual makeup of the flock did play a role. Other scientists are studying how elevation and latitude or forest structure may influence the structure and diversity of a flock.