Swimming Black-crowned night heron (1 Viewer)

[Bird_Bill]

Encountered this last july in a slough off the mississippi river.Spent a fair amount of time last 40 years or so with black-crowns,and have never,ever seen one swim like a duck.Flood waters had fallen and small pools were breaming with assorted live food stuff.Toltaly hypnotized by it,to the point were I let a male prothonotary warbler at about 5 meters distant go unphotographed. Is it really part of normal behavior?

 

[fugl]

A nice thing to have seen & photographed. I've never observed Black-crowned Night Herons (or any other kind of heron for that matter) swimming in this way, but according to the BNA-online account "swimming feeding" is a known tactic, though it doesn't say how common it is or give any other details. Interesting enough one of the BNA photos depicts a swimming Black-crowned Night Heron--looking a lot like yours--"foraging in deep water".

 

[Bird_Bill]

A nice thing to have seen & photographed. I've never observed Black-crowned Night Herons (or any other kind of heron for that matter) swimming in this way, but according to the BNA-online account "swimming feeding" is a known tactic, though it doesn't say how common it is or give any other details. Interesting enough one of the BNA photos depicts a swimming Black-crowned Night Heron--looking a lot like yours--"foraging in deep water".

Thanks Fugl,going to look into that."Foraging in deep water" apt description for sure.For the most part where bird is pictured,water was too deep for BCNH's,GBH's,LBluH's,GrnH's,SnoE's,GWE's to wade.Bird carved out tasty little nische of food stuff. At times in shallow(er) water it seemed to be sliding on belly while kicking itself along.Could see it by eye, but through tangles was photographically imperceptable.
Even left a bit of a "rooster, err... black crown tail" as it was belly scooting along.

 

[Gretchen]

Very interesting observation! I would have spent a little time wondering what the bird was after a first glance because that is quite unexpected for me.

 

[Bird_Bill]

Hi Gretchen,Pic below illustrates.Taken week before "swimming bird",same spot.As floodwater receded tens of thousands of flat head catfish (pic,biggest about 12cm long),common gar,asiatic and common carp mostly,other various sp. also were concentrated into pool were bird shown.At least one fresh water eel too,seen another black crown take,couldnt capture.Knew something was "fishy",never expected to see bird swimming.Was supposed to helping some young folks with their research on brood parasites(yellow-billed cukoos vs.cerluean warblers),was really thrown off the priorities.

 

[Jim M.]

Observed similar behavior by a Little Blue Heron in Florida a few years ago. Certainly unexpected.

Jim

 

[Bird_Bill]

Observed similar behavior by a Little Blue Heron in Florida a few years ago. Certainly unexpected.

Jim

What about that Jim? Our little blues here have'nt had "lessons" yet.
There were many around,not caring to get much more than feet wet.
Terrific shot too,get a kick out of it.Thanks