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Hi John and others.
For what it is worth, I cannot support any
theory of altruism on the part of the Cormorants.
Intra-species co-operation yes. But
inter-generic altruistic behaviour?
I don't think so.
Opportunism of the Egret (Big Storky)?
Yes.
My brother Brendan recalls
seeing similar "co-operative fish-herding behaviour" on the Coast between a
flock of Little Black Cormorants. In that case, a "Reef Heron", (a.k.a.
Eastern Reef Egret (Grey Morph) (Yuck - do I really have to?) acted as
opportunist, on the rocks above the inlet. He reports that it caught 5 fish,
while the Cormorants were doing their fish-herding. Easy to explain that as
learned behaviour, or opportunism, without giving credit to the
Cormorants.
Can I please obtain a dispensation (from the
Nomenclature Nazis) to call them Reef Herons in future?
Cheers
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