Great Blue Exterminator

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Crissy Field has a Great Blue Heron population that does its level best to keep the rodent population managed.

Posted: December 27, 2008

Look like the face of a fierce predator?

Often, you see the birds standing still, stoic, casually looking around. They wait patiently, scanning the grass while keeping an eye out for dogs, hawks, passers-by, and other Herons. When they finally detect the tell-tale rustle in the grass they tend to act decisively.

More often then not, they catch gophers. In this case a rat will do nicely.

Shaking the prey vigorously helps to subdue it.

The second rat caught just 5 minutes after the first.

"CRAAACK! The Heron leaves instantly, screaming all the way, in a strange head down posture. The arrow shows the reason...

... a stooping Red-tailed Hawk. I have never seen a Redtail stoop on a Great Blue before. My suspicion is that the rodent activity in the grass and the potential for a heron-sized meal had the hawk in an exploratory stoop - getting to the scene quickly, only to pull up and survey the scene from just above.

Instant take-offs are facilitated by frequent stretches. You have got to be ready to spring into action when the situation calls for it.

Keeping an eye on people is important too. The Herons seem to be able to distinguish between truly threatening situations and the ever-present joggers, rollerskaters, and bicyclists.

Beautiful birds with intense characteristics.

A rare sight in my estimation. Great Blue Herons displaying to on another on the green. Usually they won't tolerate each other in close company.

I can't think of a more picturesque place to photograph them.

Till next time.

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External Links

Cornell Lab of Ornithology Bird Guide
John W. Wall's Flickr Page
Bill Walker's Flickr Page
Lineatus' wonderful weekly bird diary on Daily Kos