Like most wading birds the Reddish Egret can spend a lot of time standing around. But when they are ready to hunt, look out!
They use their whole body: running, raising their wings, jumping in the air, and bam!
He got a little fish for dinner.
Then it starts again.
Hopefully some of his catch will be bigger, otherwise he would never be able to eat enough to support all this exercise.
Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge
December 31, 2019
Nice catch of the dance !
Thanks 😁
Great shots, Ellen. Are Reddish Egrets common? I don’t remember seeing these in SC.
Thanks, Jane! They are not common. This was in Florida, where there is a small population on both coasts. They have occasionally been seen in in SC, I think I’ve seen two at Bear Island WMA in three years. Singles have been spotted at Kiawa / Sea Brook.
Interesting! Never saw one when I lived on Kiawah.
Great shots! This may be a hunting behavior. Perhaps the bird’s movements cause fish to dart or move into shallower water.
Common Loons will gather in a circle, each one beating their wings in turn as they race around the other. On cue, all five or six will dive simultaneously. They are corralling a school of fish!
Paz
Thanks, Paz! Yes, it is–no standing around sedately like a Great Egret for them! They will hold their wings out to create shadows or see better into the water, too. Very interesting to watch.
That’s neat about Loons’ behavior, I did not know that. Amazing how they have learned to work together and I imagine it is quite a sight.