Fishing is a wonderful pastime for the amateur angler. There is fresh air, open spaces and the chance of catching a fish worth bragging rights.
For the professional the situation is different. The success or failure of the effort will determine if food is available for the family, ultimately a circumstance of life or death.
The panhandle Florida native Great Blue Heron falls into this second category. The seemingly carefree bird is in a constant search for aquatic nutrition and calories.
This heron is usually sited in or near a body of water, anything from ditches to bays. The lanky, year-round resident is an exceptionally efficient fisherman with a wide variety of skills and techniques for making the catch.
Great Blue Herons are always scouting for a better fishing spot. These wading birds are often seen in or near the water, but even when it is far, the search for food continues.
Depending on the conditions, they are capable of standing in one place and waiting for an oblivious fish to swim within snagging range. The statue-still bird strikes suddenly with the speed and accuracy of an expert marksman.
They are regularly seen strolling casually in shallow water with their head slowly swiveling back and forth in search of their next target. There will be the occasional stop for probing and pecking at a potential meal, and then the walk is resumed.
Their gawky persona disappears when they take flight. Great Blue Herons are capable of hovering agilely over a surface as they identify a fish and pluck it from the water.
If the prey attempts an escape into the deep, the slender heron will dive headfirst into the water and usually return with the fish. They can even be seen swimming or floating on the surface of the water, much like ducks or cormorants.
The Great Blue Herons nest in a colony, sometimes with up to 500 families. Occasionally, other native herons will be included in the colony when there is room.
The nesting trees are located near water sources which hold a plentiful supply of food. These aggressive feeders are not so particular and will swallow the easily procured frog, insect or crab when within range, but fish is the top menu choice.
Their sturdy nests are constructed of sticks and are used multiple years. The males arrive at the nesting site first and settle the area before the females arrive and mates are selected.
Premium nesting sites have a combination of necessary features which protect the occupants. They must be far enough off the ground to discourage raccoons and bears, but not exposed to birds of prey.
The females lay three to six pale blue eggs at two day intervals and both parents share the incubation duties. The month-long incubations end as the chicks arrive, sometimes over a period of a week.
Like their parents, the chicks are aggressive and voracious consumers of fish. The adult herons’ food consumption increases 400 percent while the chicks reside in the nest.
After about two months of living in the nest, the chicks take flight and hone their fishing skills. Gradually, over a two-month period their fishing expertise improves so they have the chance to survive in the wild.
At least they do not have to buy bait.
Leave a Reply