# Spatio-temporal patterns of juvenile common ravens integrating into a free-flying non-breeder flock

## TL;DR

Juvenile ravens show specific movement patterns when integrating into non-breeder flocks, influenced by age, rearing background, and familiarity.

## Contribution

This study introduces GPS-based movement metrics to explore spatial behaviors preceding social integration in juvenile ravens.

## Key findings

- Juvenile ravens are quickly attracted to areas used by non-breeder flocks.
- Familiarity among captive-reared birds facilitates shared space use.
- Captive-reared juveniles show spatio-temporal patterns similar to wild juveniles.

## Abstract

For animals living in structured groups, social integration matters: numerous studies reveal fitness advantages for well-integrated over poorly integrated individuals. Surprisingly, little is known about individuals’ spatio-temporal behaviors preceding naturally occurring social integration events. We here applied a biologging-based approach to study juvenile ravens during dispersal, when they approach and join non-breeder groups. We computed three GPS-based movement metrics as proxies for their attraction to locations used by the local non-breeder flock and their attraction to other conspecifics. We found differences in the spatial usage patterns of juveniles compared to older birds, and an influence of the rearing background (wild or captive parents). We also found that familiarity among individuals, i.e., whether they were from the same release groups or not, predicted shared space use. Our results indicate that spatial patterns derived from movement analyses are a promising step toward understanding how individuals spatially orient themselves preceding social integration.

•Juvenile ravens are quickly attracted to areas used by a non-breeder flock•Juveniles differed from older birds in how they share the area with conspecifics•Spatio-temporal patterns of captive-reared juveniles are similar to those of wild•Familiarity among captive-reared birds facilitated shared space use

Juvenile ravens are quickly attracted to areas used by a non-breeder flock

Juveniles differed from older birds in how they share the area with conspecifics

Spatio-temporal patterns of captive-reared juveniles are similar to those of wild

Familiarity among captive-reared birds facilitated shared space use

Wildlife behavior; zoology; ornithology; social integration; GPS telemetry; corvids; movement ecology; group living