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Great Blue Heron (catching a fish series)
Ardea herodias
30.3927, -86.5077
Field Notes
Description:
This Heron dropped to the water and made a huge splash. It came up with a fish in its mouth and then proceeded to take off from the water with the fish still in its mouth. There were several other Great Blue Herons in the area, and the bird might have thought it better to fly elsewhere to eat the fish.
Habitat:
Herons locate their food by sight and usually swallow it whole. Herons have been known to choke on prey that is too large.[9] It is generally a solitary feeder. Individuals usually forage while standing in water, but will also feed in fields or drop from the air, or a perch, into water. As large wading birds, Great Blue Herons are able to feed in deeper waters, and thus are able to harvest from niche areas not open to most other heron species.
Notes:
The deck hand on the docks said it looked like a speedo or a brim fish.
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