canberrabirds

Egret Antics

To: "'COG-L'" <>
Subject: Egret Antics
From: "Denis Wilson" <>
Date: Mon, 18 Oct 2010 02:48:07 +1100
Dear COG
 
I have always assumed that the behaviour described by Lindsay, and noticed by others, (spreading of wings) is to minimise reflection from the water surface, allowing the bird to better see their prey.
Their equivalent to fishermen (and women) wearing polarised sunglasses - which definitely aids vision into the water, by cutting the surface reflection.
 
Pelicans also do a similar thing when a group of birds form a circle, to hunt co-operatively.
 
Cheers
 
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