Glaucous-winged Gulls Are Notable For Their Peculiar Symbiotic Relationship With Any Of Several Species

Glaucous-winged Gulls are notable for their peculiar symbiotic relationship with any of several species of sea star. Rather than simply devour the star, these gulls will store them in an organ called a ‘crop' where it will feed on small amounts of undigested food in return for occasional use as a sort of ‘mouth hand’. This gives the host gull a stronger grip on heavier food items, allowing it to take things as unwieldy as a foot-long hotdog or a large container of french fries.

As summer rolls around, please make sure to stay well clear of Killdeer nests! These savagely territorial shorebirds can and will destroy any creatures that approach within twenty metric feet of their eggs. Thankfully they are primarily insectivorous, so a perimeter of variously-sized animal corpses can usually be found demarcating the ‘dead zone’.

Unlike more traditional woodpeckers who root around for interesting larvae and boring insects, Acorn Woodpeckers have a symbiotic relationship with Granary Trees (an ancient offshoot of mighty Oaks). Without the help of these chisel-beaked avians, Granary Trees would strangle as their own acorns germinate inside them. After removing the acorns, these unusual woodpeckers will proceed to bury them in underground caches as emergency food in case of a harsh winter; come spring any caches that were not consumed sprout new Granary Trees, beginning the cycle anew.

Greater Prairie Chickens have evolved incredibly complex auditory organs through millenia of predation. Featuring swiveling auricles, inflatable amplification chambers, and removable micro-SD storage, these birds are capable of hearing a human footfall from a distance of three Canadian football fields. Despite their amazing perception, these birds are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN due to human encroachment on their traditional territory.

Approximately ten percent of Semipalmated Plover chicks are hatched with a congenital wing deformity. This mutation can occur in one or both wings, and can present as mildly as an inability to fully retract or as severe as permanent extension. While it greatly slows their ability to migrate, these plucky birds are still able to catch up to the flock in time for breeding season.

Named for their characteristic call, Gurnards (like the Cuttlefish) are an ocean-dwelling subfamily of Robins often kept as pets by deep-sea fisherpersons and intercontinental sailors. These colourful birds are renowned for their unique plumage and ability to hold their breath for months at a time. Obligate piscivores, Gurnards should not be adopted by those who dislike coastal living, as their diet becomes significantly more expensive the further inland one lives.