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9 April 2019 Artificial lure use by a Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) in south Florida
Betsy A. Evans, Ashley E. Jackson
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Abstract

A unique foraging behavior of the Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) was observed in south Florida on 4 June 2016. A Great White Heron was observed foraging in a marina using a stick as an artificial lure to attract prey. While wading in shallow water, the heron used its bill to drop sticks (10–15 cm in length) into the water, followed quickly by the heron striking the water near the stick. The Great White Heron was not observed capturing prey while using this technique; however, a plausible explanation for this behavior is prey attraction as the heron was actively foraging without a lure prior to the bait-fishing behavior. This first recorded use of artificial lures by a Great White Heron individual supports the welldocumented flexibility in prey use and foraging behavior by the species, Ardea herodias.

Betsy A. Evans and Ashley E. Jackson "Artificial lure use by a Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) in south Florida," The Wilson Journal of Ornithology 131(1), 171-173, (9 April 2019). https://doi.org/10.1676/18-64
Received: 1 February 2018; Accepted: 15 August 2018; Published: 9 April 2019
KEYWORDS
Ardea herodias occidentalis
artificial lure
Bait-fishing
foraging
great white heron
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