Note: this post was supposed to get published this morning before “King of the Hill” and for some unknown reason is marked “Missed Schedule.” Not sure what is up with that, but here it is … I hope.
Wading birds often take advantage of another bird of their own or a different species leading the way as they feed.

It can work both ways.

The Spoonbill will benefit from the edible morsels that get stirred up by the Heron’s passing by as he sifts the water.

The Heron is looking for larger prey, which also can reveal their position as the birds wade around.

These two birds stuck together for several minutes until the Spoonbill got distracted by another activity, seen in my next post.

Black Point Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022