Let’s talk about the heron, the symbol of Intaka Island
Did you know that the Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea) is the symbol of Intaka Island? You will see a heron in flight on our logo, and our Captain Feathers, our mascot, is also a Grey Heron.
The heron is a patient bird that recognises the power of stillness. The heron teaches you the importance of self-reliance and creating balance in your life. When you experience repeated heron sightings, the heron is there to remind you of the contentment that comes with knowing abundance is at your fingertips. They are a sign of good fortune.
A heron is any of about 60 species of long-legged wading birds, classified in the family Ardeidae (order Ciconiiformes) and generally including several species usually called egrets. The Ardeidae also include the bitterns (subfamily Botaurinae).
Herons commonly stand with the neck bent usually described as a S shape. They fly with the legs trailing loosely and the head held back against the body, instead of stretching the neck out in front as most birds do. They have a broad wingspan, long straight pointed bills, and powder downs, which is used for preening .
The Grey Heron often may be confused with the Black-Headed Heron.
The main identifying characteristic is to look at the head. The Grey Heron has a black streak on its head whereas the Black-Headed Heron has a solid black head. Feathers are predominantly grey. Grey Herons are waders, they have long legs and can measure up to a metre in height.
The diet consists mainly of fish, small mammals and amphibians, but nestling birds, snakes, lizards, crustaceans, water snails, insects and spiders are also eaten. Terrestrial beetles are the commonest insect prey, followed by water beetles and aquatic larvae, with grasshoppers, dragonflies, bees and flies also being consumed.
Grey Herons are known to regurgitate “furballs” which is a bolus of indigestable material.
The Black headed Heron (Ardea melanocephala) is also one of our more commonly spotted birds at Intaka Island you need to know where exactly to find him though he is spotted at cell 4 in this photograph with a yellow billed duck (Anas undulata).
In recent months our Purple Heron (Ardea purpurea) can be seen more often than our Grey Heron. His favourite spot being Cell 1 stalking his fish prey or some unfortunate frog making up delicious snacks for his/her feeding frenzy.
Purple Herons are a secretive bird, spending less time out in the open than the grey heron and tending to skulk in reed beds. Its long toes mean it can walk on floating vegetation, and it sometimes walks over bushes in the same way, not making any attempt to grip the branches. It seldom perches in trees, preferring more terrestrial sites to rest.
It feeds in shallow water, grabbing its prey with its powerful beak. It will often wait motionless for prey, or slowly stalk its victim.
The Black Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) almost always seems to be in a state of meditation, if you are ever lucky enough to find him. We sometimes see him sitting on top of the bird Hides (sorry Photographers).
Seen by day, these chunky herons seem dull and lethargic, with groups sitting hunched and motionless in trees near water. They become more active at dusk, flying out to foraging sites, calling ‘wok’ as they pass high overhead in the darkness. Some studies suggest that they feed at night because they are dominated by other herons and egrets by day.
Usually forages by standing still or walking slowly at edge of shallow water. May perch above water on pilings, stumps, small boats. Forages mostly from late evening through the night, but also by day during breeding season or in unusual weather.
Diet is similar to most Heron species.
If you haven’t seen a heron in real life, come visit Intaka Island! You are sure to see one of these beautiful and elegant birds in action.
