According to the definitions, relationship between the mango tree and insects will be symbiotic because both are benefiting each other but relationship between egrets and the mango tree should be considered as an example of commensalism because in the relationship only egrets getting benefit of food availability but mango tree remains unaffected ( neither harmed nor benefitted) until it is proved that the process is causing barrier in the pollination of mango pollens by insects. If it is happening then it should be called parasitism because in such case tree is harmed but I don't think so that the tree is harmed so according to my understanding it should be called commensalism. Please correct me if I am wrong.
We all know that Cattle egrets show two types of ecological relationships with cattle- one is mutualism and the other is commensalism. The relationship between grazing cattle and Cattle egrets are well-known example of commensalism. But I did not find any concrete evidence of any ecological relationship between Cattle egrets and mango trees in the form of commensalism or mutualism as these birds are seen in association with mango trees for a few days during the flowering season only, even during this period they do not show consistency. I observed that some days they are present in good numbers, some days they are not present at all and some days only a few are seen as Cattle egrets are opportunistic birds and do not completely depend on mango trees for forage. They are mostly seen in villages around farms and grazing cattle, hence their association is with grazing cattle and not specifically with mango trees or any other trees.
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