Study: Everglades Birds Build Nests Around Gators For Protection

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MIAMI (CBSMiami) – You would probably think building your home near alligator-infested waters would be the absolute worst idea. But for the wading birds of the Everglades, it's a calculated risk that could equal the best protection.

According to a study published in PLOS One, egrets, herons, ibises and storks are building their nests above the Everglades' top predator.

This is because raccoons and possums pose an even bigger threat to the birds than the gators do.

So what do these security guards get for chasing away the bandits?

As it turns out, sometimes the gators are fed one or a few of the birds' offspring.

Lucas Nell, the study's lead author, said anecdotal evidence suggested for years that birds knew exactly what they were doing when they chose their nesting spots.

But Nell wanted to know if the alligators enjoyed the benefits of this deal – and he was on to something.

According to the study, alligators are on tree islands with noisy bird colonies are six pounds heavier than gators that live around half a mile away.

However, Nell wanted to make clear this wasn't a fairytale-type relationship people dream up in children's books and movies.

Gators have been known to slap their tails against trees in an attempt to knock birds out.

Click here to read the full study.