Some believe that competition is the key to unlocking a glorious future for humanity. They point to nature and say the strong survive by out-competing the weak. They think that Survival of the Fittest (often misattributed to Charles Darwin, but actually coined by Herbert Spencer) means survival of the strongest and most competitive. However, this is not true for evolution or human society. ‘Survival of the Fittest’ refers to the ability to adapt to one’s environment, not necessarily being the strongest or most competitive. As evidence, I offer these photos of the relationship between non-predator and prey creatures in the natural world.

The picture above shows two herons, a Little Bue and a Tri-color, hunting along a pond on Sportsman’s Road in Galveston. There was no competition between them. They were both doing their own thing. They went about their lives without needing to intimidate or chase off the other. It appears that greed and ego are not major components of the heron’s psyche as they are in the human world. They stuck to their hunt and took care of business, finding food. They were not competing, simply co-existing.

Here are a couple more “competitors,” a White Egret and a Willet. Once again, they are not prey to one another, so they let life evolve as it should. They each have adaptations that allow them to feed themselves in these rich, coastal waters. They have no need to compete and defeat the other.

Here, we find a small flock of Laughing Gulls taking a break on the Seawall on Galveston’s West End. And in the middle of that flock stands a single Ring-billed Gull hanging out with the smaller birds. Our culture wants us to believe the old saw that Birds of a feather flock together!” But here is proof that birds are not that exclusive. There is nothing that necessitates exclusivity among birds that is comparable to racism in the human species. A fish may not want to hang out with the gulls, but that is a predator/prey dynamic. Animals are often found in heterogeneous groups when they are not eating each other.

This young Great Blue Heron and Snowy Egret were hunting an old dock here on Rockport-Fulton Road. They were not bothered by the other’s presence and went on about living their best life and staying out of each other’s way. When the egret caught a fish, the heron did not rush over and try and snatch it. The heron patiently worked the deeper waters and found his own morsel. As I watched them, I suspected each bird was watching the other for success and then worked their way in that direction when the other had moved on.

This is a shot of a White Ibis after he moved in on a comfortable perch previously occupied by a pair of Blue Wing Teals. The ibis likely meant no malice toward the teals. It did not chase them off or aggressively “take over” the spot. Instead, the ibis relied on the wisdom of the teals that told them to not pick a fight they could not win. Yep, size matters in the animal world, and everyone accepts that as the law of the pond. After the ibis moved on, the teals regained their perch and continued their afternoon nap.

These Avocets and a Black-necked Stilt hang out together at Leonabelle Turnbull Nature Center in Port Aransas. These two species share the habitat and food supply but seem perfectly content with each other’s presence. The Avocets are napping in the afternoon sun, and the Stilt is taking a break from snacking on the worms and bugs in the mud. The other’s presence does not raise any alarms, and they are spending a relaxing afternoon together.

This is another Black-necked Stilt and Ring-billed Gull discussing his choice of landing spots. Like the Avocets in the previous picture, the Ring-billed Gull shares this habitat but feeds on different food sources. The Gull and mate are resting after their morning nosh and are too tired to get out of the Stilt’s way. The Gull suggests that the incoming Stilt was getting too close. This is literally called setting boundaries and is perfectly appropriate in a cooperative society. Many humans struggle with this boundary setting. It allows cooperation without competition. This is just one of many natural instances where creatures set boundaries to ensure peaceful coexistence.

Finally, we encountered this White Ibis and Black-bellied Whistling Duck at Lafitte’s Cove Nature Society on Galveston Island. The duck got too close, and the ibis gently reminded the duck about the boundary. The ibis made the point, and the duck changed course. They did not get into a fight about the boundary. The ibis did not attack any more than necessary. The duck did not resent the ibis’s action to protect itself. Their ability to set boundaries without conflict reassures us that peaceful coexistence is possible. In nature, creatures do not waste energy on ego or pride. We have much to learn from them.

Humans are not supposed to prey on one another. However, many view others as dangerous competitors who will prey on them. Adaptation and letting others live their lives are the key to life among the birds of the Gulf Coast. We should watch and learn about coexistence and boundary setting to unlock our peaceful future as it has for these gentle creatures. Apart from predators and prey, they go beyond simple survival. They are equally committed to life with and among one another. We have much to learn about life in the peaceable kingdom!

Peace!

Bob