Ardea
Official journal of the Netherlands Ornithologists' Union

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Hafner H., Boy V. & Gory G. (1982) Feeding methods, flock size and feeding success in the Little Egret Egretta garzetta)and the Squacco Heron Ardeola ralloides in Camargue, southern France. ARDEA 70 (1): 45-54
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We present data on feeding behaviour, flock size and feeding success of adult Egretta garzetta and Ardeola ralloides foraging in rice fields, freshwater marshes and saltwater lagoons. The two species differ considerably in size, shape and plumage coloration and their adaptation for exploiting food resources is discussed. E. garzetta hunts actively, most often in feeding aggregations and in open habitat, whereas A. ralloides remains generally immobile until the prey moves within reach of a strike and feeds singly and near cover. Individuals of E. garzetta feeding in flocks had significantly higher percent successful pecks and rate of food intake per minute than solitary feeders, the situation being reversed for A. ralloides. It seems that each species catches prey with foraging techniques adapted to its morphology and the feeding conditions.


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