R. Dakin

Learning when to learn: hummingbirds adjust their exploration behaviour to match the value of information

This study shows that hummingbirds adjust their exploration behavior based on the value of information, exploring more when new information is valuable and less when it is not.

How prior and p-value heuristics are used when interpreting data

This study investigates how researchers use prior expectations and p-values to interpret ambiguous data, finding both heuristics are common, with p-values influencing all experience levels and priors affecting inexperienced researchers more.

Social network structure scales with group size in a multi-species analysis

The paper analyzes social network properties across 631 networks from 30+ species to show group size scales social network structure, with small groups showing more uniform ties and selectivity.

Social flocking increases in harsh and challenging environments

The paper examines how social flocking behavior in two bird species changes with environmental conditions, finding that social clustering increases in harsher climates.

Migration and the excess exposure of birds to human density in North America

The paper models spring migration dynamics of 63 North American bird species to quantify their exposure to human population density during migration, finding most species avoid human-dense areas but experience higher exposure than during breeding.

Neurogenomic landscape associated with status-dependent cooperative behavior

The paper investigates the neurogenomic mechanisms linking social status, testosterone phenotype, and cooperative behavior in a neotropical bird using transcriptomic and behavioral data.

What causes bird-building collision risk? Seasonal dynamics and weather drivers

This study identifies weather patterns and seasonal factors that predict bird-building collision risk in two North American cities using citizen-science data.

The effect of sociality on competitive interactions among birds

The paper examines how sociality affects competitive interactions among birds, finding that social species have lower individual dominance but gain competitive advantage in groups.

Reciprocal social ties drive stability within a social network

This study shows that reciprocal social interactions in wire-tailed manakins lead to more stable partnerships over time.

Unpredictable hummingbirds: Flight path entropy is constrained by speed and wing loading

This study shows that hummingbird flight path entropy is constrained by speed and wing loading, with lower wing loading and higher acceleration linked to less predictability.

Flight morphology and visual obstruction predict collision risk in birds

The paper evaluates how flight morphology and visual obstruction predict collision risk in birds, finding that relative beak and wing length correlate with collision vulnerability.

Testosterone-mediated behavior shapes the emergent properties of social networks

This study examines how testosterone levels in male wire-tailed manakins influence social network properties such as specialization, stability, and behavioral assortment.

Testosterone mediates status-specific patterns of cooperation in a social network

The paper shows that testosterone affects cooperation in male wire-tailed manakins differently based on their social status, with high testosterone promoting cooperation in non-territorial males but reducing it in territorial males.

Reciprocity and behavioral heterogeneity govern the stability of social networks

This paper studies social network stability in wire-tailed manakins, finding that lower interaction frequency and higher connectivity reduce stability, explained by reciprocity and individual behavioral trade-offs.

Gender bias in research teams and the underrepresentation of women in science

This study analyzes author gender in scientific articles to evaluate factors shaping research teams, finding gender-assorted teams and citation costs for female authors.

How conspicuous are peacock eyespots and other colorful feathers in the eyes of mammalian predators?

The paper assesses how colorful bird feathers appear to mammalian predators using visual modeling, finding they are often cryptic to these predators but visible to birds.

Dynamic network partnerships and social contagion drive cooperation

The paper studies how dynamic network partnerships and social contagion influence cooperation in wire-tailed manakins, finding that cooperative individuals increase others' cooperation.

Biomechanics of the peafowl’s crest reveals frequencies tuned to social displays

This study measures the biomechanical properties of peafowl crests and shows they resonate with frequencies used in social displays, suggesting a role in mechanosensory perception.