Contact rates relevant for pathogen spread are shaped by behavior, and in turn, behaviors of susceptible and infected hosts are influenced by abiotic factors such as temperature. House finches (Haemorhous mexicanus), a songbird species, can become infected with the bacterial pathogen Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) through direct contact with infected conspecifics or indirect contact via shared use of bird feeders. Outbreaks of MG, which causes the disease mycoplasmal conjunctivitis, primarily occur in fall and winter. During these periods of colder temperature, house finches rely on bird feeders to meet increased energy demands, which may increase rates of direct and indirect contacts between infected and uninfected birds. However, the role of ambient temperature in driving behaviors relevant to transmission has not been studied. To determine how temperature influences behaviors and contact rates important for MG spread, we manipulated ambient temperatures (thermoneutral or subthermoneutral) for pair-housed birds and quantified feeding behaviors. We measured contact rates using a fluorescent transferrable powder applied around the conjunctiva of one “index” bird per pair to mimic MG spread and quantified the amount of powder transferred to cagemates directly or indirectly at several time points. To account for effects of sickness behavior on behavior and contact rates, half of the index birds in each temperature group were given lipopolysaccharide injections to induce sickness behaviors similar to those in birds infected with MG. Because behavior and contact rates are integral in determining likelihood of pathogen spread, it is important to understand the factors that affect both components. Thus, this experiment can provide insight into the role of the abiotic environment on transmission in this system and other infectious diseases more broadly.