Belogorlaï tiger heron in Costa Rica caught and triple‑dipped a piranha.
- The great-billed heron caught a pitanga on the campus of Costa Rica.
- The bird shook the prey and dipped it in water three times.
- After the hunt, the heron flew into the forest, likely eating the pitanga.
- This is the first recorded instance of a heron catching birds.
In one of the university campuses in Costa Rica, zoologist scientists witnessed the rare behavior of the great egret (Tigris herodias). The bird, known for its massive figure and characteristic spotted plumage, held a small bird – a tyrant flycatcher, resembling a sparrow, in its beak.
The moment of capture was not recorded, however, the researchers were able to track the subsequent actions of the predator. The heron shook its prey several times and then dipped it three times into a nearby body of water. After the last dip, the bird flew off into the dense forest surrounding the campus, where, according to observers, it likely completed its hunt by eating the caught tyrant flycatcher.
Typical diet of the tiger heron
As noted in the publication of the journal Waterbirds, the main diet of the great egret consists of fish, aquatic invertebrates, and amphibians. Occasionally, it hunts small reptiles, including crocodiles, as well as rodents. Instances of the heron catching and eating birds are extremely rare, making this observation particularly valuable for ornithologists.
The tiger heron is found in the tropical and subtropical regions of America, from Mexico to Paraguay, preferring wet forested areas, rivers, and lakes. Its large size (up to 90 cm in length) and powerful beak allow it to effectively hunt a variety of prey, although its diet is mainly limited to aquatic organisms.
Observation on the university campus confirms the dietary flexibility of this bird and its ability to adapt to changing environmental conditions. The tiger heron, being a typical representative of the tyrannid family, usually inhabits shrubs and the lower layers of the forest, where it is easy to spot; however, in this case, it became a victim of a large aquatic predator.
The case of triple immersion of the prey in water may indicate an attempt by the heron to neutralize the opponent by removing it from the airspace, as well as instinctive behavior aimed at facilitating the swallowing of slippery prey.
For ornithologists, such observations are important as they expand the understanding of the dietary habits of the tiger heron and allow for clarification of its role in the ecosystems where it is found. The data may serve as a basis for further research on the behavior of predatory birds in tropical forests.
Source: N+1
