A Study of Feeding Methods in Five Species of Herons and Egrets in Korea

Feeding methods of five species of herons and egrets were studied in an agricultural landscapein Asan city, Chungcheongnam-do, Korea in 2006. Grey herons primarily hunted while standing, whereas greategrets fed while walking slowly. Two smaller species, little and cattle egrets, were active foragers, feeding bothwhile walking quickly and walking slowly. Little egrets were the only species using the foot stirring method. Themedium-sized heron, intermediate egrets, foraged mainly while walking slowly or leaning. For grey herons, greategrets and little egrets, the frequency of use of different feeding methods was different between habitats: thesespecies used the leaning method more frequently in rice fields than in reservoirs and ditches. Also, most herons(all species other than great egrets) showed seasonal changes in their feeding methods that are related tochanges in habitat condition.