Jill:
The eyes of birds are fixed in their sockets and herons do not have (very
little at least) binocular vision (in next issue of IBB); so, they
probably sway their heads to get a fix on their target. If the target is
underwater then the heron's swaying head is unlikely to be detected. BTW,
would you like to venture a guess why the heron's face is white?
Cheers, Jim
Dr. Wm. James Davis, Editor
Interpretive Birding Bulletin
On Tue, 20 Apr 1999, Jill Dening wrote:
> Fascinating antics in the bedroom, but I was innocent, I promise! All I was
> doing was trying to make the bed.
>
> A White-faced Heron on a morning search for food stepped stealthily
> alongside the glass walls of our bedroom. I was about 5 metres away. I
> crouched behind the bed, and watched, fascinated as the heron searched the
> garden bed for food. As it appeared to lock eyes on prospective prey, there
> began a steady swaying of the neck from side to side, whilst the body and
> head remained stock still. This lasted perhaps ten seconds. Then there was
> a swift, successful lunge for prey. This was done several times with
> varying degrees of success.
>
> The neck swaying seemed to me to be counter-productive to the exercise. I
> confirmed in HANZAB that the behaviour has been documented, during the
> search for food, but I failed to come up with any benefits which could
> result from this behaviour. Surely live prey could be alerted by this
> movement. Perhaps the movement is involuntary. Perhaps the neck is
> preparing to receive and transport food? Even quivering with excitement? I
> know I was,trying to work it out!
>
> Any ideas out there?
>
> Regards,
>
> Jill
>
> Jill Dening
> Sunshine Coast, Qld
>
> 26º 51' 65" 152º 56' 16"
>
>
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