This long-legged bug eater was earning his slot in the environment late yesterday. It has been hanging around our place for awhile. I was out checking cattle when I spotted him striding deliberately through the grass. Every few steps his long beak would dart to the ground and capture an insect. Then, in a lightening-quick motion, the long neck would form an S-shape and with beak pointed upward it would gulp the insect in one swift bite.
The Great Egret, Ardea alba, is a large bird. They can be almost 4 feet tall and have a wingspan nearing 5 feet. The only wading bird we see in our area that is larger is the Great Blue Heron. I was amazed at how this one let me watch him from a distance of less than 40 yards for several minutes before becoming nervous and flying off.
According to a recently released report, North America has lost around 1/4 of its birds in the last 50 years. I have no doubt this is true, but out in the wide-open spaces where ranching is the primary way-of-life, I see more birds than ever. In the cities, however, you not only have the paving over of the land, you have millions of feral cats that prey on birds. I would strongly encourage you to read the linked story.
I think if a feral cat attempted to eat the Great Egret he might become a shish kabob. Now, that would be an interesting sight!
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