Diving Striated Heron (1 Viewer)

[Aladdin]

Dear members and bird watchers!

I have seen many many Egrets and Herons in my days and they are always in the water edge looking for fish to eat.

I was bird watching at a typical fish farm area in Thailand a couple of months ago.

I spotted one Striated Heron flying over and suddenly, the bird dove down to the pond to catch a fish, I have seen many Drongos diving to drink water, but I think the heron was catching fish.

I could not believe it and I never reported the bird in eBird.

Today, at Greater Bongkot North Field, a gas field in Gulf of Thailand. When they produce gas they get condensate that are pumped to and stored on a FSU (Floating Storage Unit) One Striated Heron got startled and took off. Flying around the FSU over the water.

And again, I was surprised to see the bird dive down to the sea. Salt water so I am sure the bird caught a fish, or was trying to do so.

Anyone here seeing a heron diving like a sea gull to catch food? I am still not sure what I saw the bird doing.

Kind regards and happy birding
Aladdin

 

[Aladdin]

Dear members and bird watchers

This morning I spotted one Pond Heron in Gulf of Thailand, 2 hours south of Rayong. The bird followed the wake of the boat and looked exactly like the Terns following the boats. Diving and then changed his mind, so I actually never saw the bird dive to catch a fish.

Also flying low over the water looking to be looking for fish. So this is maybe a way for herons and egrets to catch fish even though I never seen it before

Kind regards and happy birding
Aladdin

 

[Aladdin]

Dear members and bird watchers!

Since I wrote my first post I have seen all kinds of Egrets and Herons fishing Gull / Tern style. So I have got answer on my question.

Middle of Gulf of Thailand and I saw a Pond Heron chasing fish over open water.

This morning I saw a white cloud of Black-naped Terns chasing fish in the wake of the tug boat. I did not pay any attention as I have seen it many times. But suddenly there was a big dark grey bird, one Pacific Heron chasing fish like the Terns did. So now I have confirmed this behaviour from Egrets and Herons.

A little later I also saw a Great Egret hovering over the open sea diving for fish

Kind regards and happy birding
Aladdin