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Grey Heron swallowing fish

on 13th June 2008

On 2nd June 2008, Johnny Wee was witness to a Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) at the Chinese Garden in Jurong catching a fish.

The heron was in the shallow water when it sighted a fish nearby. With a swift move, it caught the fish and flew off to dry land. There, it took about 15 minutes to manipulate the tilapia before it could swallow it head-first.

After swallowing the fish, it went to the water edge to drink – a total of five times before it was satisfied. The fish was flattish and broad. Was it a little too wide for the heron to swallow comfortably, so that it needed water for “lubrication”?

As with kingfishers, owls and bee-eaters, the indigestible parts are eventually regurgitated in the form of a pellet.

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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