WHAT METHODS DO FISH-EATING BIRDS USE TO CATCH FISH?
Some birds such as gannets and boobies dive into the water when they locate a shoal of fish. They enjoy silverfish, which move in shoals. When seen from above, a shoal changes the color of the sea from dark blue to pale green, which attracts the gannets and boobies.
The birds dive straight into the water at high speed—up to 97 kilometers (60 miles) per hour—to catch the fish. However, they don’t target a particular fish as they go down. The momentum from above pushes them to go several feet under the water surface and then pick up the fish on their up and swallow them whole. Nearby birds soon catch sight of the action and join the feast.
Fish eagles employ a different method. They fly above the water and scan the water—aided by their excellent sight—for fish swimming near the surface. When fish is sighted, they perform a steep dive towards the water with talons extended, adjusting their angle of decent as necessary and snatch the fish before it gets to know what is going on.
The gray heron has a sharp beak, which is used to spear its prey. The nib is pointed and sharp, just like lace or harpoon. The gray heron patiently waits in shallow water, its beak at the ready, for fish that swim within striking distance. Alternatively, it strolls and spears fish that comes in its direction. It may eat up to ½ a kilogram of fish per day. Herons have mastered the art of patience and use it successfully against unsuspecting fish.
Egrets and some herons use bait to lure fish. Egrets stand on one foot and raise the other foot and move it to and fro and from side to side. Inquisitive fish are attracted to the foot, thinking that it is something edible and become lunch for the egret instead. Egrets in the Caribbean even use bread as bait to catch fish. According to BBC, herons were observed using food thrown to ducks and swans to catch tasty fish in the golf club’s lake in Hawaii. There are different places around the world were herons routinely pick up bread thrown to ducks and use it as bait to lure fish.
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