Barry,
Burnett (1996: Sunbird 26(3) 76-8) reported on a feeding association between an
Azure Kingfisher and a Platypus. He made a very brief and incomplete review
of feeding associations of birds (raptors) with mammals and machines in
Aus. This did not include any 'encouragement behaviour'. It would take quite a
bit of work to review, but the 'encouragement behaviour' of the junior partner
in a feeding association is likely to be extremely rare and possibly unique.
From: Barry Davies <>
To:
Sent: Wednesday, 27 April 2011 11:15 AM
Subject: Cooperative feeding between a Little-black Cormorant and Platypus?
Recently, at Sharp Park near Canungra in SEQ, Perth birder Mark Newman I saw a
Platypus and a Little-black Cormorant feeding together in what appeared to be a
cooperative manner. Whilst on the surface they were side by side with their
bodies touching. The Cormorant gently pecked the Platypus on the tail and
repeatedly ducked its head under the water next to the Platypus's head as if
encouraging the Platypus to dive. When they dived they did so in unison. The
Cormorant surfaced on average twice to the Platypus one but as soon as they
were both on the surface the Cormorant immediately swam to the Platypus, never
the other way around. Both animals were feeding successfully as they always had
food in their mouths when they surfaced. I assume the Cormorant was feeding on
creatures disturbed by the Platypus but I'm sure it wasn't just taking
advantage of the Platypus being there, it was actively encouraging the Platypus
to dive. The Platypus showed no signs of
being disturbed by the Cormorant. Whether or not it dived as a response to the
Cormorants 'encouragement' is impossible to say. We watched this behaviour for
about 10-15 minutes. Has anyone else even seen similar behaviour?
Regards,
Barry Davies,
Beechmont SEQ
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