Wood Stork, Snowy Egret, 2 White Ibis, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville Florida

This appears to a Wood Stork attended by a Snowy Egret and two White Ibis. Mixed species feeding groups are common among birds, and especially common among wading birds. In fact, groups of waders might more properly be called “cooperative feeding groups” Each species in the group benefits from the activity of the others. White Ibis and Egrets often feed together. They are after different prey, and in going after what each wants they stir up what the other wants. The Wood Stork in this image is not really part of the group. It is simply standing and preening while the Egret and Ibis move around it. Still it makes an interesting, visually, grouping. 🙂

Sony Rx10iii at 600mm equivalent field of view. Program mode. 1/320th @ ISO 100 @ f4. Processed in Polarr on my iPad Pro.