> A week ago while driving on a back road east of Young, I frightened a
> White-faced Heron from a large roo carcass as I drove by. Some one hour
> later I passed the same carcass and again scared the Heron into flight. I
> didn't actually see it partaking of the roo meat, but is it possible that
> this heron was supplementing its usual diet? Or was it just curious?
> Has anyone else ever noticed similar behaviour?
There was a rather acrimonious debate on exactly this topic back in the
1980s in 'Australian Bird Watcher'. The observer interpreted this behaviour
as the heron eating carrion, and his detractor was certain that the heron
was gleaning insects (maggots, etc.) from the carcass. Pity you didn't have
an opportunity to watch closely and report on the outcome!
Lawrie
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L A W R I E C O N O L E
2/37 Myrnong Crescent, Ascot Vale, Victoria 3032 AUSTRALIA.
Phone AH (03) 9370 3928; BH (03) 9510 5750; Mobile (0419) 588 993.
E-mail: <>
Web page: http://www.bluep.com/~oco/
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