Heterogeneous structure in mixed-species corvid flocks in flight

Jolles, Jolle; King, Andrew J.; Manica, Andrea; Thornton, Alex

Heterogeneous structure in mixed-species corvid flocks in flight

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Date

2013

Authors

Jolles, Jolle

King, Andrew J.

Manica, Andrea

Thornton, Alex

DOI (citable link)

10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.01.015

Collections

Biologie

Publication type

Journal article

Publication status

Published

Published in

Animal Behaviour ; 85 (2013), 4. - pp. 743-750. - ISSN 0003-3472. - eISSN 1095-8282

Abstract

Flocks of birds in flight represent a striking example of collective behaviour. Models of self-organization suggest that repeated interactions among individuals following simple rules can generate the complex patterns and coordinated movements exhibited by flocks. However, such models often assume that individuals are identical and interchangeable, and fail to account for individual differences and social relationships among group members. Here, we show that heterogeneity resulting from species differences and social structure can affect flock spatial dynamics. Using high-resolution photographs of mixed flocks of jackdaws, Corvus monedula, and rooks, Corvus frugilegus, we show that birds preferentially associated with conspecifics and that, like high-ranking members of single-species groups, the larger and more socially dominant rooks positioned themselves near the leading edge of flocks. Neighbouring birds showed closer directional alignment if they were of the same species, and neighbouring jackdaws in particular flew very close to one another. Moreover, birds of both species often flew especially close to a single same-species neighbour, probably reflecting the monogamous pair bonds that characterize these corvid social systems. Together, our findings demonstrate that the characteristics of individuals and their social systems are likely to result in preferential associations that critically influence flock structure.

Subject (DDC)

570 Biosciences, Biology

Keywords

collective behaviour, Corvidae, Corvus frugilegus, Corvus monedula, flocking, jackdaw, rook

Cite This

ISO 690

JOLLES, Jolle, Andrew J. KING, Andrea MANICA, Alex THORNTON, 2013. Heterogeneous structure in mixed-species corvid flocks in flight. In: Animal Behaviour. 85(4), pp. 743-750. ISSN 0003-3472. eISSN 1095-8282. Available under: doi: 10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.01.015

BibTex

@article{Jolles2013-04Heter-46230,
  year={2013},
  doi={10.1016/j.anbehav.2013.01.015},
  title={Heterogeneous structure in mixed-species corvid flocks in flight},
  number={4},
  volume={85},
  issn={0003-3472},
  journal={Animal Behaviour},
  pages={743--750},
  author={Jolles, Jolle and King, Andrew J. and Manica, Andrea and Thornton, Alex}
}

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Bibliography of Konstanz

No

Refereed

Yes