On a Wing and a Prayer
Relationship Cards
The Buffalo and the Cowbird
Buffalo used to travel in herds across the plains, as they walked through the grass the insects would fly out of the grass and the cowbirds would eat them. The cowbirds would follow the buffalo, which helped them catch insects. This neither helped or hurt the buffalo.
The Cowbird and Songbirds
The cowbird does not build a nest and raise young. Instead she puts her eggs in the nest of other birds and they raise her babies. However, the cowbird babies are bigger then the other birds, so they're able to get more of the food from the parent birds, often causing the other nestlings to starve.
Crocodile and Thick Knee
The Thick Knee is a type of bird that will eat parasites on the skins and teeth of the crocodile. The crocodile benefits by having these parasites removed. Both partners benefit from the relationship.
Tree Frogs and Bromeliads
Bromeliads are plants that grow on other plants. They are found in rain forest and often collect water. Several species of tree frog will lay several eggs inside a bromeliad. This provides a safe pool for the tadpoles to develop into frogs. This does not help or hurt the bromeliad.
Lamprey and Other Fish
The lamprey is a large invertebrate that attaches itself to other fish. The lamprey scrapes a hole in the fish's skin and sucks the blood out, killing the fish.
Clown Fish and Sea Anemones
The clown fish builds up an immunity to the sea anemones poison and then lives in the safety of the anemone. Venturing out only to catch its food. The anemone gets a partner that will remove debris and lure other fish for the anemone to eat.