In fact, when small numbers of limpets were laid foot up in the path of gull flocks K. lateralis was virtually spat out in disgust and gentle prodding under a microscope shows why. Whereas N. concinna simply retreats to its shell hastily K. lateralis produces a mass of white stringy mucus. It s an unusual reaction and it reduces Kelp Gulls to a monotonous diet. Associations of Crested Guinea Fowl Guttera pucherani ands monkeys in Kibale national park, Uganda Seavy et al 2001 Ibis 143, 310-312. The tendency of some bird groups to associate with monkeys is well known, especially in the neotropics.
Insects disturbed by foraging mammals are easy prey for birds perched nearby.
Records of ground foraging birds associating with arboreal monkeys are rare, but scientists from the University of Florida, working in Kibale Forest in western Uganda, report frequent encounters with Crested Guinea Fowl Guttera pucherani associating with l Hoest s Monkeys Cercopithecus l hoesti . This unusual pairing has never been recorded before. For guinea fowl there are probably rich pickings as soil and litter-dwelling arthropods are disturbed when the monkeys come to the ground. The monkeys on the other hand may benefit from the loud and raucous alarm calls of the guinea fowl a highly effective predator alert. Migrants fuel their flight by catabolizing fat stores and protein and often arrive at their destination with no trace of reserves and greatly reduced breast muscles.