|
G'day all,
While visiting the new Kakadu wader roost at Bribie Island
this morning, I noticed a Gull-billed Tern attempting to swallow a small -
100mm - Striped Catfish (Plotosus lineatus). It made two attempts at actually
swallowing the fish over the 5 minutes it was in view but brought it back up
both times. Most of this time it was trying to keep its catch from the bullying
Silver Gulls and eventually flew out of sight with its intended
meal.
I have observed this species once before trying to eat catfish
a couple of years ago at Hayes Landing, Lake Wivenhoe in the Brisbane River
valley. A Gull-billed Tern attempted to swallow a Blue ( Salmon ) Catfish (Arius
graeffei) approx. 90mm long. After several attempts at swallowing its prey, it
must have decided it wasn't going to happen and took off leaving it's prey
behind.
Gavin
Petrie.Qld
| 