Social dynamics of core members in mixed-species bird flocks change across a gradient of foraging habitat quality.

ABSTRACT: Social associations within mixed-species bird flocks can promote information flow about food availability and provide predator avoidance benefits. The relationship between flocking propensity, foraging habitat quality, and interspecific competition can be altered by human-induced habitat degradation. Here we take a close look at sociality within two ecologically important flock-leader (core) species, the Carolina chickadee (Poecile carolinensis) and tufted titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), to better understand how degradation of foraging habitat quality affects mixed-species flocking dynamics. We compared interactions of free ranging wild birds across a gradient of foraging habitat quality in three managed forest remnants. Specifically, we examined aspects of the social network at each site,

SUBMITTER: Gentry Richardson KE 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8809581 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature