有时候,一种鸟类需要与其他的物种形成某种特殊的互惠共生关系。这种关系形成以后,它们能够找到各自单独时无论如何也无法找到的食物,或是防备共同的天敌。不同种类的鸟有时会联合起来驱赶肉食鸟类,比如一群小鸟可以“围攻”一只猫头鹰。在非洲,响蜜鴷可以和人类协力寻找、搜捕蜂巢。这种双方都能获得益处的协作关系就被称为共生。然而,并不是所有合作关系都进行得如此公平,通常是一方在利用另一方,这就成了寄生关系。 Sometimes a bird needs to have some special reciprocal symbiotic relationship with other species. After this relationship has been established, they can find food that they can not find anywhere else, alone, or against common enemies. Birds of different species sometimes join forces to drive away predatory birds, such as a group of small birds that can “besiege” an owl. In Africa, ring honey honey can work together to find and search the hive. This kind of collaboration that benefits both parties is called symbiosis. However, not all partnerships are conducted in such a fair manner, and it is usually the case that one party uses the other party and this becomes a parasitic relationship.