An amazing scene that I never expected to experience while in Africa was that of a rodent and a heron. A gray heron was making a meal of a rodent that seemed to be more than a mouthful. This feast took a few minutes to play out at the Maasai Mara National Reserve.

First of all, I didn’t even realize that herons ate rodents. The rodent did not give in easily but the heron was persistent. After a long struggle from both sides, the gray heron was finally rewarded with a meal. The entire rodent was forced down the heron’s narrow throat. I don’t think I would believe it if I hadn’t seen it for myself.

One other surprise for me was that it was a gray heron, not a great blue heron. I have seen lots of blue herons in my part of the USA. With so many similarities, I assumed this was also a great blue heron. I was corrected by our guide that it is a gray heron found in Europe, Africa, and Asia. The great blue heron is also larger, has longer legs, a longer neck, and heavier bill.

Never too old to learn, I am!

I am probably not alone in not knowing that a heron’s appetite is satisfied by more than fish. What about you? Did you know?

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All photos are my own. ©Pepper Tron/Heavens Sunshine
No usage allowed in any form without my written consent.

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Linked to Bird of the Week. For a photo of a white heron or an elegant egret, click here.