Striated heron

Description:

Small heron with extremely wide range. Cosmopolitan and adaptable, frequently encountered in Mauritius

Habitat:

Waterside, mangrove swamps, and even on the seashore, these herons are found across Africa, much of Asia, Indonesia, Australia and South America.

Notes:

Known for their unusual and often seemingly ingenious behaviour, these herons have been observed using feathers to lure fish to the surface, just like fly fishing (these birds must be onto something)! I photographed this particular specimen fishing for small fry by the fishpond at the hotel we were staying in. Just a few days earlier, I had seen this bird spear a carp of about half a pound and swallow it whole!