|
|
The Ardeidae family is made up of twenty-two different heron species. The Great Blue Heroine is one of them. The Snowy Egret is another member of this family. This heron is found in the Eastern Coast of the US. During winter, this heron loves spending time in South Carolina. The Ardeidae diet These birds feed on fish, amphibians, crabs and insects. Other members of the Ardeidae family are bitterns and egrets. Bitterns are very amazing species. When they are alarmed, they often like sticking their heads upwards and swaying in the wind’s motion. They love feeding on eels. Important facts about herons These wonderful birds have very specialized feathers known as powder down. They grow from the base and fray from the tip. The feathers are concentrated in particular areas in small patches, unlike in penguins where hair grows continuously in all body parts. As the herons fray, their feathers generate some fine powder which the bird uses to do away with slime and even oil that sticks in the feathers. The hunting power of herons Herons are excellent hunters. They have very strong beaks, which are long enough to reach out for fish in the water. The neck is strong and can easily uncoil in order to unleash a very powerful lunge. They also have long legs that make the bird tall. This height is an advantage as far as hunting is concerned since long strides mean a faster pace. Some herons prefer to lie and wait for any unsuspecting prey to fall into their traps. Once the prey is within reach, the heron runs after the prey. Other herons prefer to wait in the thick of vegetation especially in reeds, which grow in marshes of water. Their long legs enable them to stand in shallow water. More proactive herons take the initiative of stirring the water in order for the prey to move towards the surface. They then pick them very easily. Physical characteristics of herons These members of the Ardeidae family are medium-to-large-sized birds. Members of both genders are very much alike. Both the necks and legs are rather long except bitterns, which have shorter limbs. When flying, stretch their legs, their wings flap very slowly and they pull back their necks, which seem to be falling back on their shoulders. In terms of appearance, herons’ appearance closely resembles that of cranes. The main difference is that cranes extend their necks whenever they are flying. Categories of herons The members of the Ardeidae family can be divided into four main subfamilies: the typical herons, the night herons, the tiger herons and the bitterns. The largest heron is known as Goliath Heron whose height ranges between 1.4 and 1.5 m. The African Black Heron is mainly found in Madagascar and is very famous for its prowess in using a hunting strategy known as canopy feeding. This heron simply stand in very shallow water with wings spread in an umbrella-shaped posture. When small fish and other prey come to take shelter, they come into a close range of their predator and they are captured.
|
||||
