Distribution and foraging behaviour of grey herons Ardea cinerea in adjacent tidal and non-tidal areas
Draulans, D.; Hannon, J. (1988). Distribution and foraging behaviour of grey herons Ardea cinerea in adjacent tidal and non-tidal areas. Ornis Scandinavica 19(4): 297-304
In: Ornis Scandinavica. Munksgaard: Copenhagen. ISSN 0030-5693, more
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| Keywords |
Behaviour > Searching behaviour > Feeding habits > Foraging
Distribution
Ardea cinerea Linnaeus, 1758 [WoRMS]
Belgium, Het Zwin natuurreservaat
Marine/Coastal; Brackish water |
| Abstract |
Foraging activity and behaviour of Grey Herons were recorded in a tidal and an adjacent non-tidal brackish water area to investigate whether herons behaved differently in the two areas. This was not the case. Distribution of foraging herons and overall fishing success were similar, despite large differences in food availability. Weather variables, on the other hand, influenced heron distribution and foraging success, with herons shifting towards the tidal area during windy, rainy and cloudy weather, when foraging became relatively more efficient there. This could indicate that generally both areas are equally profitable to herons, despite large differences in the spatial and temporal availability of prey. |
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