Wading birds share the bounty in cooperative dining
- jjvanm
- 17 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Published January 3, 2026 in the McAllen Monitor
Story and photos by Anita Westervelt, Texas Master Naturalist
Wading birds are unique in that many different species can be lined up in shallow water, all feeding together. Whereas we’d be hard pressed to find raccoons, opossums, nutria and armadillos on the bank co-dining, although individually they pass through the same feeding grounds as a nightly routine.
Different species of wading birds can eat together because their unique bill shapes, sizes, and feeding techniques allow them to target different prey and at different depths. Conversely, small, four-footed animals generally avoid eating together because of ancient innate predator/prey dynamics and food competition.
The other morning, a pair of white ibis flew from the far bank of the resaca over to our side, landing within photo distance. After I took some photos and observed the birds, I was surprised to note their bills were completely different. Turned out, the second bird was a snowy egret. Friends, I speculated. The ibis began actively searching for food; the snowy egret stood still, only moving its head at intervals, alert, but waiting.
White Ibis eat by probing the mud and shallow water for hidden prey. They detect by touch; their bills have sensory pits that are highly sensitive to movement. The sensors allow them to feel prey without needing to see it, according to the Cornell Lab Website, All About Birds.
When the bird feels something, it pinches it, like a pair of tweezers. Ibis’ diet includes crayfish, earthworms, marine worms, insects and crabs. They also stab or pinch fish, frogs, snakes, lizards, snails and newts.
Adult white ibis are medium-sized wading birds with white plumage and distinctive long, downward curved bills. Their bills, facial skin, legs and feet are all a bright salmon-pink color. In flight, their black wingtips are visible. Ibis are found in coastal saltwater and brackish and freshwater wetlands; they also eat from the land. At night, they often rest in trees.
Snowy egrets are a small white heron and fairly equal in size to white ibis at about two feet tall. They are all white with black legs and bright yellow feet. Their black bill is just over three inches long, straight, slender and yellow at the base.
Snowy egrets are permanent residents along the Gulf Coast states with visitors wintering over in saltwater, brackish and freshwater habitats; they also forage on beaches and in wet fields. They sleep at night in tall trees and thick shrubs often over water, generally in groups, for safety; even while sleeping, they remain alert to threats, according to the National Audubon Society.
Although snowy egrets are the most active heron when feeding, often running or shuffling their feet, or flapping the water with their wings or vibrating their bills to flush prey into view, they also will stand motionless and ambush prey as they come into striking distance.
Mixed-species groups like ibis, herons and egrets often feed together, especially when prey is abundant. Their varied feeding techniques allow each species to target a wide range of prey; collectively, they often employ cooperative strategies.
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