|
Though
less numerous in the Lake Saint-Pierre archipelago region,
the Great Egret are often found with the Great Blue
Heron. Some of them nest on Grande Île.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other
wading birds, such as the Black-crowned Night Heron,
also nest at the same site.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside
the colony, the Great Blue Heron is rather solitary
and spends most of the day feeding itself.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Near
the edge of the shores, this large wading bird stands
motionless, neck tense, awaiting the passage of an eventual
prey. When it catches sight of one, it folds back its
neck slowly, and then unfolds it rapidly, like a spring.
With its long sharp beak, it catches the fish and swallows
it whole. Its average catch measures about 65 mm.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Though
preferably fish-eating, it will sometimes hunt for molluscs,
crustaceans, insects, rodents, frogs, reptiles, and
small birds.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Boat
excursions throughout the many channels that weave between
the islands allow people to observe, near the shores,
several herons on the lookout for fish. Less fearful
when out of the colony, they are easier to approach.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
During
summer, the adults lose some of their feathers. Their
colouring appears less vivid.
The
Great Blue Heron’s claw of the middle toes edge
is finely serrated. It uses this claw to groom its feathers.
Under the plumage on its sides, layers of powder down
feathers can be found. Using its claws, it spreads this
powder over the feathers and cleans them. Then, oil is
applied to the feathers to help provide waterproofing.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
When
it flies off, it folds back its neck into an S shape,
and lets its legs hang back. The flapping of its wings
is slow, and the bird needs a bit of time in order to
take off. Often, if it is disturbed in a place with
lots of fish, it’ll just move away a bit, and
land nearby.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Young
herons remain in the nest until the age of 9 to 10 weeks.
Around the 7th week, they move from one branch to another.
Then, in the 9th week, they attempt short flights. This
is a critical period for them, for if they fall to the
ground, they will die of hunger, since the parents no
longer care for them once they’re out of the nest.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around
week 10, the young leave the nest and start to feed
themselves.Their plumage is drabber than that of adults.
Parents
usually succeed in raising two or three young. More than
70 % of the young die in their first year. |
