This past Friday, March 11 at Geauga Park District's Walter C. Best
Wildlife Preserve on Rt. 44, just south of Chardon, I witnessed an
interesting behavior.
The only section of the lake ice-free was the deep end. While 2 pair
of ring-neck ducks and a bufflehead drake were resting, several of the
9 American coots present were busy diving.
3 gadwalls (1 male, 2 female) were gravitating towards one diving coot
while 3 American wigeon (2 males, 1 female) were gathered around
another.  As the coots surfaced with plant material, the ducks
partook.  It was unclear whether the coots had allowed some of the
plant stuff to drift off or what, but the ducks weren't exactly
stealing it either as the activity wasn't particularly aggressive or
antagonistic.  Wanted to stay longer to observe, but work beckoned.
What was obvious was that the water was too deep for the ducks to
dabble, so they were benefitting from the coots.  Is anyone else
familiar with this suggested cooperative feeding behavior?

Dan Best, Geauga Park District

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