This is bird note. Northern Gannits are fish eating sea birds and they're

incredible hunters. Aerodynamic wings tucked back behind them, diving head

first into the ocean at speeds of up to 60 miles an hour, pursuing their prey

underwater with powerful strokes of their webbed feet. But sometimes even

northern Gannits get a little help. Foraging pods of dolphins regularly

herd fish into dense frantic concentrations near the surface where the fish

are easier to catch. As this happens Gannits begin plunging into the

shoals from a loft. The more tightly messed and closer to the surface the fish

are, the better the birds' chances of catching some. So the dolphins' tactics

are a kind of assist to the Gannits. Scientists call this a multi-species

feeding association and it happens a lot. These gatherings may seem like

evidence of cooperation between species but in fact they're more about

opportunity. Gannits, at the very least, take advantage of the dolphins'

predatory fish-herding strategy to more easily grab a meal. These feeding

frenzies may attract a mix of predators. Other sea birds like kitty wakes and

gals as well as seals and even whales may join the action. For bird note, I'm

Michael Stein. Today's show brought to you by the Bobbling Foundation.