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Sunday 5 July 2015

Heron

In Greek mythology, the heron was regarded as an unpopular bird because it waded in shallow water, thereby revealing the location of fords to armies poised to invade.

The fat of a heron killed at full moon was once believed to be a cure for rheumatism.

Roast heron was a popular dish at medieval banquets, with young birds called branchers thought best to eat.


The collective noun for herons is a 'siege.'

Fish is the heron's preferred food but they will also eat voles, toads, frogs, and even ducklings.

Herons are sociable birds when nesting, invariably nesting in long-established heronries. It's not unusual for a single tree to hold as many as 10 nests.

Herons don't build conventional nests. They lay two or three blue-green eggs on mats of twigs and reeds on the ground.

If disturbed in their nest, herons often regurgitate their last meal to ward off intruders.

Their slim yellow bills are large enough to kill snakes which might attack the nest.

Sources LivingwithBirds Daily Mail

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