Feed a chilly Heron? (1 Viewer)

[mitchellworks]

Hi, I'm not an experienced bird watcher, but there is a resident Heron near my house that my kids and I enjoy watching as it catches fish from a small pond.

We've had a very unusual snowstorm here in the NorthWest, and for several days that poor bird has been standing on the iced over pond. I'm starting to worry that maybe it doesn't know where else to go for food. The ice is several inches thick now, so I couldn't break a hole for the bird. I'm thinking maybe I should put out some canned Tuna fish?

Or, should I not worry? We are right near the ocean, but I haven't seen the Heron leave the pond at all.

thanks for any advice,
Amber Mitchell

 

[Euan Buchan]

Mebe you should try giving it Tuana Fish as it may strugle to break ice to get the fish see how it gets on before you start feeding it tuna

 

[Bluetail]

Herons can and do die of starvation during winter freezes because they can't fish through ice-covered water. I don't know whether one would take canned fish, but I guess it would if it were hungry enough. Worth trying at any rate.

Jason

 

[pauco]

You could always try mackrel strips or other small
fish, that you could pick up from any local fishmonger.

 

[janine13]

I would imagine the Heron would more readily recognise fish that actually still looks like a fish, like sardines or smelts for example- as opposed to canned tuna. Rehabilitating herons will eat feeder goldfish (alive or dead) from the local pet shop, or frozen mackerel or silversides, which are commonly found at bait shops. But, try with whatever you have at hand, and let us know what happens. I'm sure he will appreciate it!

 

[mitchellworks]

Thanks for the ideas. The Heron, after not seeming to move from the spot for about four days, disappeared this morning and has yet to reappear. I hope I'm not too late, and that he's just found a better fishing spot for now. I put out some smoked salmon (all I had) this morning anyway, and am watching each time I go out to see if he's been back.

If he returns and doesn't eat the salmon, I'll get some bait fish instead.