The great blue heron is well-known for its looks but also its fish-catching abilities. Whether in the wild or someone’s backyard pond these large birds are master hunters. So how does a heron catch fish? Here’s what you’ll want to know.
Built For Success
While herons do eat other animals, their main source of food is fish. And they have evolved certain characteristics which help them to be highly efficient at catching them. Herons are tall and have long legs.
And this gives them the ability to catch fish in their favorite manner which typically involves wading slowly in the shallow water. As they wade they scan for fish with their keen eyesight. When they spot a target they spear it with their long beak and then swallow the entire fish whole.
Other Fish Catching Methods
Heron catch fish in a few other ways as well. Instead of wading, they may also stand or walk around the water’s edge as well. They are also known to dive headfirst into the water after fish or even hover over the water and grab them when flying. These predatory birds may swim or float on the surface of the water just like a duck or a goose while in search of their prey as well.
A Solo Fisherman
Unless it is the mating season, herons will almost always catch fish alone. Different from many other waterbird species which may feed together, the heron is extremely protective of its fishing area. In fact, it will chase off any other herons which land. This natural behavior is what pond owners take advantage of when they use a heron decoy to deter them from eating pond fish.
By placing a decoy near or in the pond, any herons who fly by in search of food, will see it and think there’s a real heron fishing there. Because they will try and avoid a confrontation, they will normally keep on going and look for a meal somewhere else.
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