Coordinated Movements of Multiple Pied-billed Grebes in Association with an American Alligator

We report a novel observation of multiple pied-billed grebes (<i>Podilymbus podiceps</i>) closely tracking an American alligator (<i>Alligator mississippiensis</i>) in a South Florida wetland. The grebes exhibited context-dependent behavior, including proximity maintenance, escape responses, and foraging-like dives near the alligator, despite being known prey of this predator. We interpret this interaction as a potential heterospecific foraging association, shaped by the trade-offs described in risk allocation theory. These findings suggest that grebes may opportunistically associate with predators under certain ecological conditions to enhance foraging success.