| Photo Information |
Copyright: Nicki Mora (greychick)
![Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 55 W: 0 N: 103]](http://i1.treknature.com/misc/g-n-g.gif) (611) |
| Genre: Animals |
| Medium: Color |
| Date Taken: 2008-07-05 |
| Categories: Birds |
| Exposure: f/10.0, 1/800 seconds |
| More Photo Info: [view] |
| Photo Version: Original Version |
| Date Submitted: 2008-07-05 5:40 |
| Viewed: 411 |
| Points: 0 |
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| [Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note |
I am always working at getting that perfect flying shot. This one comes pretty close. What amazes me in this shot is the wingspan these beautiful birds have.
White heron facts
http://www.doc.govt.nz/templates/page.aspx?id=50133
The kōtuku colony is located in tall kahikatea-dominated swamp forest. Birds make their nests in the crowns of tree ferns or in kōwhai or kāmahi trees.
They are solitary feeders. At night when not feeding, they roost in trees. Their voice is the typical heron croak in flight or when disturbed.
They feed mostly on small fish (such as whitebait), eels, frogs, shrimp, aquatic insects, mice and small birds (such as silvereyes). They may grab prey with their sharp, dagger-like beak.
It is believed that the colony was formed by the natural introduction of birds from Australia several hundred years ago. Australian birds are still occasionally blown over in some years and augment the New Zealand population.
The white heron is specially adapted for wading in shallow, muddy waterways: it has long legs that are bare of feathers to well above the ankle joint and long spreading toes.
White herons have elaborate courtship displays. Males build small platforms from which they advertise themselves to females. Male displays include a spectacular raising of the nuptial plumes, with the neck erect, the bill snapping and the wing feathers flicking. Once a female is attracted, the pair preen each other and intertwine their long necks, wings and bill.
As a symbol of things both beautiful and rare, the kōtuku occupied an important place in Māori myth and folklore, and to compare a visitor to a kōtuku was a compliment of the highest order. |
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