We also manipulated whether individuals had access to the 1 feeder with the same individuals across multiple trials (stable social treatment) or with different individuals (unstable social treatment).
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We predicted that the stable treatment would have a stronger effect on dismantling previously formed connections.However we found that birds in those groups had a bigger increase in flock size. Presumably, here the social info is more reliable which might lead to more synchrony of arrival at feeders
We also found that the (food distribution and social treatment) manipulations persisted beyond the manipulation (although we only looked at this in a foraging context).
Even small-scale changes can have impacts on broader social structure
Consistent with other studies; we also found consistent individual differences in social behaviour, and stability in whom associates with whom, despite our manipulations, indicative of social personalities
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Even small-scale changes can have impacts on broader social structure