Combined Hunt

Combined Hunts


 

While this isn’t about Kooka's, it did happen while I was waiting for them to arrive.

It was a normal day, people jogging, walking babies, walking dogs.

Completely unaware what was going on right next to them.

There is a full on battle being engaged.

And, it involved a number of species that usually hunt alone.
And, it was done with military precision.
And, all knew their exact roles.

The Players;

The first in were the Australasian Grebes. As a tight bunch, 12 or so birds would drive the fish towards the shore.

5 meters behind them came the Cormorants.

5 meters behind them came the heavy artillery, the Pelicans.

Behind them, more cormorants.

In the air were the Terns & Gulls.

On land they were faced with Egrets & White Faced herons.

But it was how it worked that amazed me.





Pelican mob

 
   Let’s say the Pelicans went in first.

   They are slow & clumsy.

   They would   get a few fish - sure.

   But  the school would soon scatter

   and it would all be over.

 


Now, look at the way it was done, and the way it worked for everyone. No one group reaped more than the other & all got a good feed.

The Strategy;



Sorry - poor photo - but they're small & 50 meters away (Australasian Grebes)

The Grebes are first in. These guys are small, fast and nimble. Their role is to panic the school & drive them towards shore. But these are small birds with small mouths. They can only take on the smallest of fish. They get to pick off the panicked fingerlings, while still driving the school. A lot get past them.

  

behind the Grebes came the Cormorants

Cormorants – bigger, not quite as nimble, but still bloody fast. They are the 2^nd prong to the attack. They sit back a bit. They turn around the fleeing fish, (while getting a feed). The Grebes get a 2^nd crack. All the while the school is getting pushed into the shallows.

Those fish trying to bolt to the south were greeted with this.

pelican push

Those fish that tried to walk on water, well, they got picked off by the Terns & Gulls. 

In the shallows, those that tried to walk on land had to face the Egrets & Herons.
They got a feed while sending the school back towards the Grebes & Cormorants. And don't forget the Pelicans.

The Result:

 

The Aftermath:



10 minutes later

Mother Nature - Always amazing! Mostly Missed!