The use and relative importance of intraspecific and interspecific social information in a bird community

Abstract

Lay Summary Information from conspecifics outweighs other information sources for collared flycatchers making their nest site choices late in the spring. Collared flycatchers copy the nest site characteristics apparently chosen by earlier settled flycatchers and competing tits. When the apparent decisions of the fellow flycatchers and competing tits are in conflict, flycatchers copy conspecifics when conspecifics outnumber the competitors, which is the case late in the spring.