Frigate Birds and Sailfish on the Hunt
In Frigate Birds and Sailfish on the Hunt, narrator Sir David Attenborough observes the remarkable hunting techniques of frigate birds and sailfish in the open ocean. Frigate birds soar high above the water, scanning for fish below, while sailfish — some reaching lengths of 10 feet (3 meters) — surround schools of bait fish. The sailfish cooperate with one another, using their speed, agility, and color-changing abilities to confuse and catch their prey. As the bait fish move toward the surface, frigate birds dive down to snatch them. This video is excerpted from BBC’s Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Lesson Express
Q: What do sailfish do when they find a school of bait fish?
A: Sailfish surround the school of bait fish, working together to catch their prey by using coordinated strikes and conserving energy.
Q: Why is it rare to see so many sailfish hunting together?
A: Sailfish usually hunt alone, so seeing a group of nearly 100 sailfish working together is unusual.
Q: How do sailfish use color changes to communicate?
A: Sailfish change their colors to signal their intentions to other sailfish and to help confuse the bait fish.
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