interspecific interactions modulate social foraging behaviour and habitat use in a neotropical migratory warbler species during its nonbreeding period
abstract
spatial and temporal variation in biotic and abiotic conditions in any foraging
environment prompts individuals to modify their strategies of space use and behavioral
responses such as going from solitary to social foraging, as it occurs with flocking in forest
birds. while asymmetric intraspecific competition determines differential habitat selection, the
occurrence and foraging activity of others, conspecifics or even congeners, can also inform on
fitness prospects and provide floaters or flock attendants additional foraging opportunities when
searching for alternative habitats. whether interspecific interactions between congeneric
species modulate habitat use in a species that occurs at low densities during the non-breeding
period remains less known. here, i study two neotropical migratory bird species that join
flocks: the endangered golden-cheeked warbler (gcwa; setophaga chrysoparia) and the
townsend’s warbler (towa; s. townsendi). the main objective was to describe social
mechanisms underlying habitat preference in the former species by looking at foraging
strategies and interactions with its congener that might influence its habitat selection. a
secondary goal was to provide knowledge on the nonbreeding ecology of gcwa toward
conservation recommendations. [...]