Mouth to Mouth

[Stu Bowie]

These two cormorants let fly into each other, and amongst part of the action, I captured this sequence with the one's head down the throat of the other one. Im not actually sure if this could be a feeding action, as I didnt see any fish - unless the the one on the right was regurgitating food up. Anyway, not something I have witnessed before, so Im sharing it with all of you. Taken at one of the birding spots in Cape Town.

Canon 50D
100-400@ 200mm
1/2000
F/5.6
ISO 400

Exp Comp +0.33
Hand Held

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Awesome timing Stuart and well composed. Good eye contact too and I will be interested to know what they were actually doing if anyone has seen this behavior before. thanks for sharing .

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

great action,eye contact!!!

[Mike Tracy]

The color of the eye you captured well focus's the attention where the action is taking place.

I witnessed this behavior once before. Dug up this many years old unedited file I kept because I too had never seen it.

[Stu Bowie]

Thanks a stack everyone.

Mike, your image confirms it must be a feeding behaviour, as they wouldnt fight in midair, or out the water.

[Gabi Sandu]

Perfect timing Stuart. Superb colors and great details. Is a feeding behaviour, I'm very sure about it.

[Callie de Wet]

Stu, Lovely catch, and I assume it is feeding behavior! Send it to 50/50, they will be able to tell.

[Morkel Erasmus]

lovely sighting Stu - love the droplets.
it sure is feeding, seen other photos before with confirming comments :)

[denise ippolito]

Nice behavior shot. I love the timing and the clear eye.

[Phil Battley]

So what age (and species) is the bird on the right? If it's not an adult then something very strange is going on. :-)

Phil

[Hendri Venter]

Hi Stu, you captured the moment perfectly here. Also sure its feeding.

[Stu Bowie]

Thank you all so much for the great feedback. I am convinced its a feeding behaviour

Phil, these are both Cape Cormorants, and to be honest, I dont have a clue of either of their ages, but they are pretty much the same size.

[James Salywoda]

Excellent behavior captured Stuart nicely done.

[Vida van der Walt]

Wonderful sighting and shot Stu. This is amazing behaviour and you captured it perfectly.:)