These images were taken a while ago, but they show some remarkable behaviour. These are Little Egrets and Little Black Cormorants hunting together in a shallow pool. I don't think there is any doubt that the individuals of each species are working together - and it looked very much like the two species were cooperating.
The cormorants would swim along, line abreast pushing (what I assume are) small fish in front of them. They would surface and turn in towards the shore, often with something in their beaks. The egrets rushed backwards and forwards, keeping level with the cormorants and picking off food the escaped - or was pushed towards the shore. All in all it was pretty remarkable - and a situation where I wished I had turned on the video!
Now it's over to you. Click on the link below and off you go into the world of WBW.
how very cool! herding fish!
ReplyDeleteThe fish don't stand (swim) a chance with all those fishermen about!
ReplyDeleteI have seen similar behavior in the Cormorants. Hundreds of them arrive here with the flocks of Pelicans. They all fish together ... herding as TexWisGirl put it until someone grabs a fish and goes. This goes on for long periods. You don't actually see the Cormorants get the fish because they dive for them ... but you see it when they come up out of the way of the other fishing birds who might want to steal their catch. I think man could learn a lot from nature if he paid attention ... if he were less focused on self and greed. We will learn some day, probably the hard way. Anyway, love the pictures, Stewart. They say a lot about your powers of observation ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Great post Stewart!
ReplyDeleteSynchronised swimming with a mission!
ReplyDeleteSorry I have missed a few weeks but I have had my SATS exams. I really enjoyed the Egrets, we get them on Frodsham Marsh sometimes. From Findlay
ReplyDeleteSo nice to see this! A lot of egrets (I've only seen one once!) that get help with the fishing! Lovely photos, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteGreetings Pia
A great serie of photos. I do like to see the egrets!
ReplyDeleteThe Cormorants look a bit like snakes sticking out of the water.
ReplyDeleteGreat series; hard to believe the co-operation.Sort of gives lie to the term "bird-brained". Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteAmazing behaviour, beautifully captured, Stewart. Thank you for sharing this with us.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots that capture an amazing partnership.
ReplyDeletethat's really quite comical; I have seen them foraging closeby to one another before but never in such numbers as this. You would expect they'd have emptied out that pond in a flash..........
ReplyDeleteThat is really remarkable. Don't know if I've ever heard of two species working together like that. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteA wonderful post Stewart...
ReplyDeleteHow cool! Nothing like some teamwork to benefit all! Even better that it involved two different species.
ReplyDeletegreat shots! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to see birds in their natural environment, they are fascinating to watch, have a great day.
ReplyDeleteGreat to get photos of such interesting bird inter-action - even without the video!
ReplyDeleteStewart, wonderful sighting and photos of the egrets and cormorants. It is cool to watch the birds and their inter-action. Thanks for sharing and for hosting. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteA real tag team effort to everyone's satisfaction. And you're right, Stewart. Would have been cool to see this on video. To quote Rodney King, "Why can't we all just get along?" :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Stewart... I actually had to chuckle at the action here!!
ReplyDeleteVery excellent timing with this photo!!
Grace
If only we humans could co-operate as nicely with each other!
ReplyDeleteInteresting mix of birds you have here, Stewart. They all seem to be buddies.
ReplyDeleteGreat shots! :)
ReplyDeleteThey seem to get along fine and working and eating together. We all should take lessons maybe. MB
ReplyDeleteA very interesting series!
ReplyDeleteCool photos !! :)
ReplyDeleteGreetings Timur
Interesting to see the birds working together like that. One could wish for that sort of co-operation between humans as well.
ReplyDeleteThat is so cool! I think humans could learn a lot from those birds :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great observation! I've seen pairs of birds operate in this way (eg spoonbill & egret - link to post below if interested) but not entire teams!
ReplyDeletehttp://petesflap.blogspot.com.au/2012/03/teamwork-at-lake-yambuk.html
Ha! You're doing little birds and I saw a vulture last weekend and posted photos of it!
ReplyDeleteCheers!
~~Cheryl Ann~~
What a wonderful thing to have seen Stewart. Nature is filled with wonders if we stop to look. So glad you stopped to look. :)
ReplyDeleteThat must've been really cool to watch. They sure know how to work together! I'd have loved to watch that on video. Next time! :)
ReplyDeleteRelating to your comment last week, I would love to visit Australia! I wouldn't even know where to begin with my bird watching, sight seeing and snorkeling. It is on the bucket list for sure. Nice little birds this week.
ReplyDeleteOur cormorants here in our small lake in Florida usually hunt singly, but they do attract the herons when they forage near the shore. I have seen groups of pelicans and also mergansers herd schools of fish to trap them along the shore, and egrets and other herons join the feast.
ReplyDeleteRemarkable behaviour, great series.
ReplyDeleteRemarkable behaviour, great series.
ReplyDeleteHow neat to see!
ReplyDeleteGreat post Stewart!I like Cormorants birds!Great captures!Have a lovely day!
ReplyDeleteDimi..
Very artsy shot between the two birds. It's almost like a dance:)
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when I saw the photos before I read the text is that it looks like a choreographed dance. Pretty amazing!
ReplyDeleteI am late once again...make it per usual for my life as it is these days. What a grand piece you have shared Stewart, Nature has such incredible secrets, just awaiting us to arrive, and it looks as though you were right on time...impressive~
ReplyDeleteAlways love to see two species working together like that!
ReplyDeleteShows an awesome teamwork between these 2 species. Amazing sighting!
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteHave a nice weekend and greetings,
Anna
Great encounter, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteNature continues to amaze me.
Sorry I've been remiss in posting to Wild Bird Wednesday, lately.
Life keeps interfering!
-Hope your weekend is great!
Wally
Excellent shots! Interesting behavior - thanks for sharing.
ReplyDelete