Did you watch that video of the green heron below? There are several remarkable things about it. Green Herons are shy, secretive birds that are often hard to get a good view of. First look at him rapidly approaching and stretching that huge neck. You almost never see green herons looking ‘long necked’, they usually look like hunched craggy bird-grandmas. Then see how he’s stalking towards the beaver kit, and trying to get as big as possible to scare him away.
Last nights visit from the weirdly territorial green heron got me reading about these remarkable birds. I sadly couldn’t find any articles about crazy green heron chasing beaver but that didn’t stop me from looking. The coolest thing I found out about them is that they are considered one of the few “tool using birds”. Green Herons use bait to catch their fish. Check it out.
Apparently they’ll drop bread, earthworms, or insect parts into the water and wait until a fish comes to nibble it. They crouch in a low ball so the fish doesn’t see them, and so their neck looks short and curved and not at all threatening. When the fish comes they flash their beak and snap it up it. Unlike human fishermen, they are smart enough to use the same bait over and over again.
Not every green heron uses this technique every time it fishes apparently but its widespread enough to make the books. After watching last nights display I am no longer surprised by anything these feathered carnivores do. Or the sight of these strangers stopping by city hall this morning. Far be it from me to comment on the fact that the Martinez City Council doesn’t usually meet in August. Another Special Meeting?
Don’t worry, Jon made sure they all got home safe. Oh and thanks, Gary, for this. If you haven’t sent in your vote for the park name, make sure you do so today!
