Reproduction and migration represent two examples of life history events that often involve increased energy expenditure. The timing and successful completion of these events can impact survival and the likelihood of successful breeding. This presentation will examine how social interactions and information can influence these stages in organisms as diverse as fish and songbirds. I will discuss my field research from Costa Rica on the convict cichlid, a biparental fish, where females compete for males and the effect this has on parental care dynamics. I will also discuss lab research done in LA that looked at how vocal communication can influence the response to changing environmental conditions in pine siskins, a finch with irregular migratory patterns.