Social partners and temperature jointly affect morning foraging activity of small birds in winter

Abstract Daily foraging activity of small wintering birds is classically thought to be driven by the need gather enough energy reserves survive each night. A separate line research has shown that sociality a major driver in winter activities many species. Here, we used as study system move toward an integrative understanding influence requirements and on ecology. We RFID-enabled feeders Lincoln, Nebraska, USA January–March 2019 measure two species (downy woodpeckers, Dryobates pubescens, white-breasted nuthatches, Sitta carolinensis). analyzed relationship between overnight temperature morning found lowest was weakly correlated with visitation at feeders. then network approach ask if flock associations explain similarity birds’ activity. In both species, individuals stronger social were more likely share similar feeder activity, index partners’ explained better than temperature. This brings forth new questions about interplay individual response factors shaping how animals cope harsh conditions.