Denis’ explanation sounds completely
plausible. Thinking back to the situation, the bird would pause in its hunting,
spread its wings while standing completely still and then launch at (assumingly)
a fish.
Regards
Lindsay
From: Denis Wilson
[
Sent: Monday, 18 October 2010 2:48
AM
To: 'COG-L'
Subject: Re: [canberrabirds] Egret
Antics
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.
