ABSTRACT
Varying evolutionary pressures have resulted in the diversity and complexity of songbird sociality that can be observed today. Songbirds display a wide variety of cooperative behaviors (e.g., altruism, mutualism, and reciprocity). One benefit of sociality includes improved antipredator behaviors, but other benefits include improved foraging and increased fitness. However, the increasing anthropogenic influence on the natural world means the cues and signals that songbirds use to communicate may become unreliable. Understanding how cooperative and antipredator behaviors evolved, how con- and heterospecifics interact, and the communication modalities used to execute these behaviors are essential to understanding the current and future social world of songbirds. This chapter discusses the fundamentals of understanding and measuring songbird social and antipredator behaviors, and how these concepts can be used in songbird conservation efforts. Concepts covered will include the impacts of introduced human factors such as the effect of highway noise and artificial lighting on anti-predatory and singing behaviors, and management actions that can be used to mitigate changes to behavior. Additionally, the reasons why a species’ social system should be considered in management and restoration plans will be discussed.
