The foraging behaviour of the Reef Heron

Abstract

The foraging behaviour of the Reef Heron contains elements of hunting behaviour seen in many other species of heron. None the less, the Reef Heron relies mostly on a narrow range of techniques that minimize the problems created by the clear water and bright sunshine typical of coral reef habitats. These make fish, which are the Reef Heron's principal food, difficult to approach and prevent the use of that classic hunting method of herons of 'stand and wait'. The particular behaviour used by a foraging Reef Heron is determined by the kind and size of prey, the conditions of the substrate and water, and the weather.