Data from: Functional traits, flocking propensity and perceived predation risk in an Amazonian understory bird community

Within a community, different species might share similar predation risks,
and thus the ability of species to signal and interpret heterospecific
threat information may determine species' associations. We combined
observational, experimental and phylogenetic approaches to determine the
extent to which evolutionary history and functional traits determined
flocking propensity and perceived predation risk (response to
heterospecific alarm calls) in a lowland Amazonian bird community. We
predicted that small birds that feed myopically and out in the open would
have higher flocking propensities and account for a higher proportion of
positive responses to alarms. Using generalized linear models and the
incorporation of phylogeny on data from 56 species, our results suggest
that phylogenetic relationships alongside body size, foraging height,
vegetation density and response to alarm calls influence flocking
propensity. Conversely, phylogenetic relationships did not influence
response to heterospecific alarm calls. Among functional traits, however,
foraging strategy, foraging density and flocking propensity partially
explained responses to alarm calls. Our results suggest that flocking
propensity and perceived predation risk are positively related and that
functional ecological traits and evolutionary history may explain certain
species' associations.