Little egret, Egretta alba.

I went out today to get shots of the Common tern they will not be here for long before they continue on their migration. But I got hooked watching this Little egret and the way it coaxed its prey to come within range to catch. I have never seen them catch big fish like all the other herons. even though the name is Little egret its from the Heron family,



They vibrate one of there legs in the water the yellow claws must be an attraction to the minnows, as they get close the Egret snatches them out of the water. the squacco stands perfectly still either on the bank or on flotsam and takes a fish as it gets near enough. the other herons stand perfectly still in the water and wait for the fish to nibble at their legs.
the cattle egrets only come to the Nile to drink it seems they only eat grubs,

In this photo (enlarge) you can see the ripples from the vibrating leg.
They walk about very slowly in the water and pick at whatever they need if there is nothing they do the leg bit.




And before you ask if I have nothing better to do than watch birds using vibrators, the answer is no, and I enjoy watching them. next time I need a fish I know what to get and how to do it.
What you call live and learn.

The common tern photos I managed to get after this exciting episode are on. and the date under the photo. just in case you think I spent all my time watching the egret,

http://birdinginegypt.blogspot.com/2009/12/tern.html

The Herons roosting in the trees on Banana Island
made up mainly of the Cattle Egret.



I thought I was A Heron not an Ibis.


Ah thats better

Bloody nosy bugger wish he'd go away with that camera.