Birds that are herons eat rats, and a heron is applying unique hunting and eating a hunted rat 🐀 🦅

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  • Опубликовано: 21 июл 2010
  • The heron is a unique bird that can easily control a wild rat before it starts feeding in this epic confrontation between a predator and its prey. The rat is trapped in the beak of a heron, and it's trying to escape before it becomes a meal for the heron. Many animals hunt rats, but the heron has a hunting style like no other, and their rat-catching abilities are a sight to behold. The grey heron is a species of meat-eating predatory wading birds that live on and around water; they are waterbirds that don't swim but wade through the water. The heron is a hunting bird that uses its long, sharp beak to catch animals while silently and patiently stalking its intended prey; they are water waders with long legs traversing their aquatic domains. The heron attacks and feeds on other animals because they are carnivorous predators, top avian predators, and exceptional hunters of all kinds of prey animals that live and breed worldwide. Herons have an incredible instinct to attack and eat other animals. This feeding behaviour has evolved over millions of years to enable them to have an extensive menu of wild protein-rich animal meat food. The herons are flying birds with a very diverse diet of meat from hunting and eating other animals. They especially like dining on water-based waterbirds, waterfowl baby birds, rats, rodents, other small mammals and birds and insects, and a wide variety of marine and aquatic creatures living in and around saltwater and freshwater. Food eaten without chewing is how the heron and all birds eat their food because they have no teeth for crushing, and dining on big or small portions by swallowing in gulps is how they feed. The heron can be seen actively hunting and eating animal babies throughout the breeding seasons, especially when they live and breed in the herons' natural habitats. Herons will hunt and eat smaller birds and bird babies, hatchlings, nestlings, and bird eggs, regularly raiding throughout the bird breeding seasons when the heron dines and eats. The herons are avians living and breeding in almost every habitat close to water throughout the world's coastal and inland waterways.
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Комментарии • 2,9 тыс.

  • @appletreeinc.8425
    @appletreeinc.8425 4 года назад +23

    Rat: "Halt stalwart stranger if you let me go I will grant you one wish"
    Heron: "I wish for you to be my dinner"

  • @catfamily2980
    @catfamily2980 5 лет назад +440

    What a relaxing and pleasant sound from the water.

    • @Dan-n-Duke-jr2ic
      @Dan-n-Duke-jr2ic 5 лет назад +9

      That's what you got out of this?

    • @catfamily2980
      @catfamily2980 5 лет назад +21

      Apart from letting the nature doing what it has to do, I enjoy listening to rhythm

    • @Dan-n-Duke-jr2ic
      @Dan-n-Duke-jr2ic 5 лет назад +6

      @@catfamily2980 i know, i was just messin with you bud, take care

    • @catfamily2980
      @catfamily2980 5 лет назад +5

      👍🏼😊
      Cheers

    • @catfamily2980
      @catfamily2980 5 лет назад +11

      The rat 🐀 was relaxing and enjoying the sound prior being targeted by the sniper.

  • @Emidretrauqe
    @Emidretrauqe 5 лет назад +19

    I simultaneously admire and loathe the heron for being so efficient at hunting. It was literally impossible for the rat to even hurt the heron, much less save itself. It was completely 100% doomed.

    • @infinitydreamzz
      @infinitydreamzz 2 года назад +3

      The rat can probably hurt the heron, but being at the end of a long beak there is nothing it could do.

  • @EthanAnthony907
    @EthanAnthony907 5 лет назад +35

    much respect to my little mammal friend, he fought hard, totally outmatched, god bless.

    • @lumox7
      @lumox7 5 лет назад +1

      What did that rat say to that heron after he got caught?
      ''You wouldn't shit me, would you?''

  • @pablohablo3256
    @pablohablo3256 8 лет назад +270

    Remarkable how he works his way, little by little, from gripping a hind leg in his beak, around the belly, to a foreleg, and eventually he has it by the neck. Rats are good at wriggling free and have a good bite, too- quite a feat. It was pretty well strangled at the end, had to go in head-first so the lay of its fur didn't impede progress down the gullet. A lot going on- thanks for the video.

    • @bencarter1666
      @bencarter1666 5 лет назад +13

      Well spotted, a very careful patient predator indeed

    • @GoldenGrenadier
      @GoldenGrenadier 5 лет назад +15

      Ben Carter lol I can't even be bothered to wait until my food cools down to eat it.

    • @deleteexistence6175
      @deleteexistence6175 5 лет назад +8

      @@GoldenGrenadier just keep it moving in your mouth, I do that with soup everytime.

    • @tiffanybatcheller-harris522
      @tiffanybatcheller-harris522 5 лет назад +25

      I was curious if the heron would hold the rat underwater until it drowned. Would’ve been quicker and easier. XD

    • @haseo8244
      @haseo8244 5 лет назад +4

      Clearly had a ton of experiences.

  • @lambda494
    @lambda494 6 лет назад +93

    Heron is like "Go ahead and struggle, take your time. I'll wait."

    • @Slick-Wit-it
      @Slick-Wit-it 4 года назад +2

      I thought then Heron was trying to drown it

    • @stevenhowe432
      @stevenhowe432 4 года назад +2

      Stone cold killer!

    • @Spooqi
      @Spooqi 3 года назад +5

      Yeah, herons are surprisingly patient and methodical hunters. They don't need a hooked beak, sharp talons, or a strong bite force to kill their prey

    • @WhuDhat
      @WhuDhat 2 года назад

      Rat had some fight in him, was definitely biting back a few time

  • @CoreyT127
    @CoreyT127 4 года назад +419

    Any animal who's diet consists of rats should automatically be protected!

    • @AndiGravity
      @AndiGravity 4 года назад +19

      I have bad news for you. Rats are cannibalistic.
      If there's plenty of food to go around and the mothers are capable of raising all the babies they give birth to, rats will keep the cannibalism to a minimum-- at least among the living-- because there's no need for it, though they're not at all above eating any dead rats they happen upon, if that's the choicest bit of food they can find in the area.
      However, rats use cannibalism as a form of both population and resource control. If food starts running short in general, the biggest, fittest rats will start killing and eating the smaller ones, and if a mother rat doesn't think she can raise all her pups successfully, she eats the most expendable of her offspring until she has her litter pared down to a size she can successfully manage.
      That means a rat's diet often consists of rats, sooooo....

    • @jamaaldaynitelong8367
      @jamaaldaynitelong8367 3 года назад +2

      🥂 Here Here!!

    • @missasinenomine
      @missasinenomine 3 года назад +4

      I agree! I hare rats!

    • @missasinenomine
      @missasinenomine 3 года назад +2

      Hate. (& typos!)

    • @loktom4068
      @loktom4068 3 года назад

      @@AndiGravity 😱😵

  • @ziggyschumann5284
    @ziggyschumann5284 3 года назад +12

    I never knew herons were so badass, eating their prey while its alive and kicking.

  • @DrAnne-mc8er
    @DrAnne-mc8er 9 лет назад +129

    Once every blue moon I get diverted to a video on RUclips which makes trawling through all the other dross worthwhile.
    A fascinating video that showed me something in the world I would never otherwise have been able to witness. Really well filmed too. Many thanks Paul.

  • @jenersharma
    @jenersharma 8 лет назад +505

    This Heron is very hygienic. Cleans his food before eating.

    • @marka6187
      @marka6187 6 лет назад +17

      Jener Sharma that's not why he does this

    • @franniebanani6532
      @franniebanani6532 5 лет назад +100

      Dipping sauce

    • @hunterjenkins11
      @hunterjenkins11 5 лет назад +26

      PRO/NRA Trump2020 most bland dipping sauce flavor ever...

    • @leebrown1779
      @leebrown1779 5 лет назад +10

      Hunter Jenkins According yo who? You have no concept of the bird's taste.

    • @bencarter1666
      @bencarter1666 5 лет назад +51

      They all seem to do it. I think it is to saturate the fur so it slides down easier. They seem to take time and prepare for swallowing

  • @thebuddha4208
    @thebuddha4208 5 лет назад +137

    I’ve been watching Discovery Channel and animal planet my whole life pretty much I’ve never seen footage like this incredible 😱😱😱🤯

  • @warsocki
    @warsocki 3 года назад +63

    I was waiting for the Heron to realize it could eat the rat much quicker if it would drown it first.

    • @samwh.9611
      @samwh.9611 3 года назад +22

      Yeah me too! But I figured herons don't understand the concept of drowning since they usually eat fish!

    • @MichaelWilson-ep8pc
      @MichaelWilson-ep8pc 3 года назад +5

      @@samwh.9611 or maybe the fact that it’s not a human.

    • @antihero76
      @antihero76 3 года назад

      @@MichaelWilson-ep8pc lots of animals drown there prey

    • @MichaelWilson-ep8pc
      @MichaelWilson-ep8pc 3 года назад

      @@antihero76 I never said that’s not the case. I’m saying animals don’t reason like humans . They live off instincts alone. So if it’s not apart of their normal day to day instinct , they kill how them know best. Usually herons eat fish as their main meal . So they would never reason like a man or woman and say oooh this is a more efficient way if I drown it

    • @user-ro9md9wp3j
      @user-ro9md9wp3j 3 года назад +2

      @@MichaelWilson-ep8pc smooth brain take. The only significant difference between human brains and other animal brains is the capacity for language. There’s no reason a bird can’t understand drowning, it probably just used the method it knows best so it’s prey wouldn’t escape.

  • @MmmBepBoo
    @MmmBepBoo 8 лет назад +609

    This is what it's like to get eaten by a dinosaur.

    • @AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt
      @AlexanderRodriguez-ni4kt 5 лет назад +11

      That's crazy I was thinking the same thing

    • @johnculver6994
      @johnculver6994 5 лет назад +18

      Actually no. Theropods had teeth and you know that. Besides they have fossil evidence of teeth marks on
      dinosaur herbivores such as hadrosaurs. More like bite, rip, and swallow whole.

    • @henrydecker8989
      @henrydecker8989 5 лет назад +19

      They call them dragons before we killed them all off

    • @readmelancholystrumpetmaster
      @readmelancholystrumpetmaster 5 лет назад

      Or a heron!

    • @stevebri9161
      @stevebri9161 5 лет назад +3

      Except dinosaurs have teeth

  • @videowatcher4006
    @videowatcher4006 8 лет назад +32

    Another rat bites the dust, and another rat gone, another rat gone, another rat bites the dust! All jokes aside, great piece of filming and thanks for sharing it.

    • @AKSBSU
      @AKSBSU 5 лет назад

      Practically every predator, from the tiny least weasel to a crocodile, eats rats, yet rats are still everywhere.

    • @TSPH1992
      @TSPH1992 5 лет назад

      Quality content

    • @floa3355
      @floa3355 3 года назад

      LMFAO

  • @dixondiaz8448
    @dixondiaz8448 2 года назад +7

    The bird sure gives the rat lots of time to think about all the mistakes he’s made.

  • @k.i.i.3699
    @k.i.i.3699 3 года назад +13

    The heron’s grasp on the rat was very clear at the end of the video but at the beginning of the video it was hard to tell how it had such a solid grasp on the rat.

    • @carolynallisee2463
      @carolynallisee2463 3 года назад +3

      Since herons eat a lot of fish and amphibians, I wouldn't bee too surprised to learn there were tiny little serrations along the edges of its beak, both top and bottom, to act like teeth. And if those serrations are backwards pointing, once the heron had got a grip on the rat, there really was only one way that rat was going... down!

    • @patkaczmarek7362
      @patkaczmarek7362 2 года назад +2

      God's perfect engineering at work. Awesome beyond our comprehension.

    • @unomenah
      @unomenah Год назад

      @@patkaczmarek7362 mashaallah

  • @mixey01
    @mixey01 9 лет назад +151

    The Heron is like a T-Rex with wings

    • @WalkrFilms
      @WalkrFilms 4 года назад +5

      I was thinking more velociraptor

    • @user-rm5ki1lv9q
      @user-rm5ki1lv9q 4 года назад

      How about Archaeopteryx? (with his own wings).

    • @uppercut2246
      @uppercut2246 4 года назад

      Only Dinosaurs never existed! Sorry, but I wasn't the one that lied to you. There has never been a change in kind.

    • @iamleoooo
      @iamleoooo 4 года назад

      @@uppercut2246 yes they did

    • @darthtator3549
      @darthtator3549 4 года назад +4

      @@uppercut2246 only a religious idiot believes the lies that was told with no evidence

  • @user-gv3kk4ts9b
    @user-gv3kk4ts9b 8 лет назад +29

    Brave little critter for hanging on until the end. That rodent's got more determination and courage than many humans. I admire it. Thanks for sharing this!

  • @AfroPoli
    @AfroPoli 5 лет назад +10

    Absolutely fascinating how it uses speed, gravity and the resistance of water to its advantage.

  • @rosewaters2533
    @rosewaters2533 5 лет назад +125

    I think asian ancestors learnt to use chopsticks by watching the heron.

    • @kylekissack4633
      @kylekissack4633 5 лет назад +18

      Lol that's an interesting thought

    • @kylekissack4633
      @kylekissack4633 5 лет назад +7

      Could very well be true

    • @andrewwolflethecatfishmast790
      @andrewwolflethecatfishmast790 5 лет назад +2

      Nope not true. I'm part Asian. I DON'T KNOW HOW TO USE CHOPSTICKS!!!!!!

    • @boommer3564
      @boommer3564 5 лет назад +10

      @@andrewwolflethecatfishmast790 are you an ancestor?

    • @andrewwolflethecatfishmast790
      @andrewwolflethecatfishmast790 5 лет назад

      No. Growing up here with my family I never used chopsticks. My Dad is a American and my mom us Filipino. They met when my DAD was in the navy.

  • @webwillie1
    @webwillie1 8 лет назад +65

    Rat's like..."This ain't gonna be good".

  • @DamazViccar
    @DamazViccar 8 лет назад +367

    Wow, that's a horrifying way to die.
    The footage is great, though.

    • @desertmulehunter
      @desertmulehunter 5 лет назад +10

      @Lies Bus chill out, why you so angry?

    • @ytyt3922
      @ytyt3922 5 лет назад +10

      Lies Bus clearly by the time the rat was swallowed it was either dead or unconscious. If unconscious it will die quickly of asphyxiation within the bird’s gut. Maybe you need therapy.

    • @tony001212
      @tony001212 5 лет назад +13

      @Lies Bus are you serious ? You've to be kidding, aren't you ? Mice are a worldwide plague, I virtually impossible of killing off, no matter how many of then you kill there will be always thousands more, birds however are endangered, why do mice exist if not for feeding others animals more importants....by the way the word " torture" is applicable only on humans, look for psychological help asap.

    • @rocksteady231
      @rocksteady231 5 лет назад +12

      Lies Bus you've given me all the "data" I need to profile you boy. You may be able to hide from yourself, but you can't hide from me. I never said there was shame in empathy. However hiding behind narcissism and your weak-minded inability to acknowledge the reality of the planet on which you live is, in fact, shameful. Also, insulting others for your mental and physical shortcomings is sad and quite pathetic. "Civilization's" cracks open up and swallow idiots like you every day. I would feel bad for you, in particular, if you hadn't been so nasty and insulting to so many other people. Be as weak and scared as you want, but don't criticize others for your pathetic existence.

    • @yakeemgordon3187
      @yakeemgordon3187 5 лет назад +6

      Yt Yt bro the bullshit aside the lil fucker was still alive. Herons are known for swallowing things while they are still alive

  • @idavo
    @idavo 5 лет назад +1

    Amazing footage - thought I was watching Countryfile for a second - I was mesmerized watching this. Nothing but thanks for sharing this.

  • @ZomBeeNature
    @ZomBeeNature 5 лет назад +5

    😲 OH MY GOSH!
    Herons are tougher than I thought! And it only used just enough effort to disorient the rat and dunk it at the right time for the rat to die before it swallowed it! A master!

    • @carpaccio112tv2
      @carpaccio112tv2 2 года назад

      Herrons are tough? The rat is literally 1/100 of the herrons size pogchamp

  • @pacuttr1
    @pacuttr1 9 лет назад +186

    Now that's a civic-minded heron, helping to clean up the city of vermin

    • @GodOfVictory501
      @GodOfVictory501 6 лет назад

      Maybe the city council can train them to get rid of the junkies (Am I right, Dubliners?)

    • @jrodowens
      @jrodowens 6 лет назад +1

      Dublin have much of a heroin use problem?
      If so, I'm guessing its largely teen and 20+ year olds from around the country who live homeless downtown.. likely clustered around welfare 'hubs' like needle exchange sites?
      Like I say, that is just a guess but one based on personal observation of metros in the United States and Canada, specifically Portland, Seattle & Vancouver.
      Interestingly enough, in my hometown city in Texas (approx. 100k people) heroin was virtually unheard of until a few years ago. Cartels sensed a business opportunity with the restricting of opiod availability that began 7 or 8 years ago and filled the 'need' of the suburban opiate addicts here. I'm not sure to what degree it is happening these days, as addicts there do not have the visible presence they do in a large metro.

    • @jrodowens
      @jrodowens 6 лет назад

      btw, just assumed you meant heroin users by 'junkies' but its possible you were using the word in a more-encompassing manner, i.e. all drugs

    • @janebook294
      @janebook294 5 лет назад

      HERON ARE THE VERMIN

    • @charles-antoinebruneau9272
      @charles-antoinebruneau9272 5 лет назад

      @@jrodowens you're completely out of subject. Big facepalm...

  • @alan30189
    @alan30189 8 лет назад +27

    Needs a beer to chase it down. LOL
    We need more herons in this world.
    1:34 Waterboarding! LOL

  • @scottmccluremcclure3916
    @scottmccluremcclure3916 5 лет назад +32

    We were fishing once and we spooked one of these out of a tree and it took a dump on my Dad

  • @BlackMamba1985
    @BlackMamba1985 5 лет назад +53

    She uses the river as a dipping souse lol

    • @jamesweekley1087
      @jamesweekley1087 3 года назад

      Maybe to drown the rat so that it's dead when it is swallowed.

    • @rolandfrancis7066
      @rolandfrancis7066 3 года назад

      @E. Nonce wet , the feathers or fur stick to the body of the prey thus making it easier to swallow.

  • @zzz11666
    @zzz11666 9 лет назад +135

    They need to leave a few herons in New York's subway to clean up the rat population.

    • @bencarter1666
      @bencarter1666 5 лет назад +1

      They are notorious where I live for stealing carp and finding ways around pond netting. Beautiful animals in person

    • @lgbtqiarights
      @lgbtqiarights 5 лет назад +1

      zr de then the herons would be the problem

    • @jamesvickers9476
      @jamesvickers9476 4 года назад +1

      NY rats are to big for them to swallow...

    • @notyou8716
      @notyou8716 4 года назад +1

      I prefer the rats in New York to the people.

    • @cashouttbready6529
      @cashouttbready6529 4 года назад +2

      There Are some herons inside of parks in NYC we need some stoats

  • @rayso11
    @rayso11 5 лет назад +58

    WOW, That footage is amazing.... 😉 😌 😌

  • @tuggerjb
    @tuggerjb 5 лет назад +1

    What amazing footage. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.

  • @enjoythemoment8973
    @enjoythemoment8973 5 лет назад +12

    Life's struggles are for real, remember this when you think you are having a bad day

  • @Noactualdirection
    @Noactualdirection 8 лет назад +3

    Quite simply, wow.
    What a brilliant capture.

  • @More-Space-In-Ear
    @More-Space-In-Ear 8 лет назад +4

    Fascinating footage. Thank you for sharing 👍🏼

  • @paxmule
    @paxmule 5 лет назад +1

    Great catch bird!
    Great video Paul!
    Thank you for sharing

  • @Robotdad474
    @Robotdad474 3 года назад +2

    I remember seeing a comment on one of these heron years ago saying something along the lines of ‘the river is his dipping sauce’ and it’s stuck with me ever since 😂

  • @VirtualMark2
    @VirtualMark2 9 лет назад +6

    Wow, amazing footage. That rat really struggled, but it didn't stand a chance.

    • @Chickenworm9394
      @Chickenworm9394 9 лет назад

      The rat would never give in without a fight

  • @momthegreatest
    @momthegreatest 10 лет назад +5

    Excellent..very rare video..how cunning the HERON IS...

  • @FollowThomas
    @FollowThomas 3 года назад +5

    Wow, he got it! These birds eat anything, it doesn't matter how big it is. Cool! 😎

  • @relaxingblog
    @relaxingblog 2 года назад

    Love to play this during my morning routine or before bed- and my cats are living their best life listening to it all day while I'm gone!

  • @rusenrai7783
    @rusenrai7783 8 лет назад +176

    Moral of the story - before eating ur food wash it properly 😐

    • @gregpasq
      @gregpasq 5 лет назад +4

      It wasn't washing it. The bird does this for lubrication...

    • @shadowfoxhd6798
      @shadowfoxhd6798 5 лет назад +2

      @@gregpasq r/whoosh

    • @Clandestine0814
      @Clandestine0814 5 лет назад +1

      Herons want it wet before eating lmao

    • @piedramultiaristas8573
      @piedramultiaristas8573 4 года назад

      Ninja turtles doesnt exist poor master.

    • @GuyWets-zy5yt
      @GuyWets-zy5yt 3 года назад

      In this case, lube it, it will slipping much better !

  • @DrCalviny
    @DrCalviny 10 лет назад +86

    MASTER SPLINTER NOOOOO!!!!

    • @InstagramAWrestlingHistorian
      @InstagramAWrestlingHistorian 9 лет назад +6

      #Done
      X D

    • @propjam2
      @propjam2 8 лет назад +1

      +DrCalviny Genius!

    • @amaroq69
      @amaroq69 5 лет назад +1

      Calviny was waitin’ for Leo, Mike, Don & Ralph to come to the rescue...😐😑😏

    • @guyfriedman295
      @guyfriedman295 5 лет назад +2

      Lol there is a reply for every year here (until my comment ruined it)

    • @piedramultiaristas8573
      @piedramultiaristas8573 4 года назад

      Ninja turtles doesnt exist poor master.

  • @rememberingjazziedog1112
    @rememberingjazziedog1112 3 года назад +5

    Never thought of a Heron eating rats before but im glad they do

  • @joehuggard
    @joehuggard 5 лет назад +1

    great photography to stay the whole fight to the end.
    steady video.
    very educational and well done.

  • @Khamomil
    @Khamomil 8 лет назад +60

    RIP ratty rat! He fought bravely to the very end.

    • @Aliandrin
      @Aliandrin 8 лет назад

      She. And I do believe she was lactating.

    • @blackred1032
      @blackred1032 8 лет назад

      +Aliandrin what's that mean?

    • @evanmccarvill7020
      @evanmccarvill7020 8 лет назад +2

      It means she was a mommy rat. And that Heron just made some orphans.

    • @blackred1032
      @blackred1032 8 лет назад +1

      Evan McCarvill where does she have kids? What gonna happen to them what's she doing in a tree?

    • @sneepsnorp1404
      @sneepsnorp1404 8 лет назад +2

      I breed rats so i'm all like noooooooooooo but at the same time I know that heron had to eat.

  • @sanghoonlee5171
    @sanghoonlee5171 5 лет назад +80

    Scenes like this remind me that birds are basically feathered reptiles.

    • @114wildfire
      @114wildfire 5 лет назад +3

      Sanghoon Lee
      Birds are birds, not reptiles.

    • @1977moonchild1
      @1977moonchild1 5 лет назад +2

      mike jones The birds closest living relative are crocodilians. They were once featherless and resembled two legged dinosaurs.

    • @114wildfire
      @114wildfire 5 лет назад

      quacka 1003
      Well, that's what you were probably taught but it's not true.

    • @1977moonchild1
      @1977moonchild1 5 лет назад +2

      mike jones It's what I know. Birds are not just birds. All you have to do is look at the feet and legs of an eagle or any bird of prey to know that it's once belonged to the dinosaurs. Unless all these evolutionists and biologists like Attenborough and Hawkins are wrong! I've seen enough programs on wildlife to know I'm right.

    • @1977moonchild1
      @1977moonchild1 5 лет назад

      mike jones And if you think I'm wrong, where do you think birds came from and how did they evolve? Or do you think the earth is flat?!

  • @tomc6407
    @tomc6407 3 года назад +1

    What a great piece of filming! Well done to the cameraman.

  • @workaholicrohit
    @workaholicrohit 5 лет назад +2

    That background music of water flowing..just amazing 👏👏

  • @buckwheat2599
    @buckwheat2599 9 лет назад +4

    Brilliant footage....

  • @jaysin197800
    @jaysin197800 4 года назад +3

    6:47 me thinking in a mobster accent “Is he just toying with this rat bastard?” 🤣😂

  • @Afro408
    @Afro408 Год назад +2

    I just love watching herons hunting and I especially liked watching our Nankeen night Herrons, in the evening standing statue still at the edge of the water and then the lightning fast strike on the quarry. The fact that they will eat anything that moves makes them extremely successful in any habitat. One thing I find strange, is the fact that they don’t seem to try and drown the wriggling prey and therefore make it easier to handle. Maybe they like the feeling of the animal kicking all the way down! 🤣👍👏👏

  • @Hannah-tg8hw
    @Hannah-tg8hw 3 года назад +1

    The water keeps flowing like: Just minding my own business.

  • @DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc
    @DanHarkless_Halloween_YTPs_etc 7 лет назад +25

    Holy cow! Dinosaurs: 1, Mammals: 0. You can really see the adaptive advantage of that beak over a fleshy jaw given how the heron eats -- the rat can scratch and gnaw at it all it wants, but it's not going to do any good. I don't feel sorry for rats too often, but that did not look like a fun ordeal. Not an easy operation to go from "caught" to "swallowed" with this big struggling morsel. Given the heron's behavior of dipping its prey in the water to presumably make it go down more easily (?), you'd sort of think some of them would have accidentally discovered that you can drown land prey for easy swallowing if you dunk them for longer, and passed it down via instinct or culture.
    Anyhow, nice going capturing this! Out of interest, what software are you using for camera deshaking? It's interesting how it slo-mos the clip when it takes effect, and how it clips the borders in one step, rather than doing a zoom. I'm currently going back through all my old videos and remastering them with Gunnar Thalin's Deshaker plugin for VirtualDub. It can achieve pretty amazing and seamless results, but it generally requires a lot of handholding for each different clip (and you have to be careful about color space conversions).

    • @jrodowens
      @jrodowens 6 лет назад +7

      It's not often that I read such an informed and interesting comment on YT. Your curiosity and level of knowledge (specifically, evolutionary biology) must be roughly comparable to mine* because I had much the same thought(s) while watching this video.
      I wouldn't be surprised if some heron (or heron population) somewhere hasn't figured out the drowning tactic and put it to regular use. Based on what I've seen in the literature and media, tool-use and 'culture' among primates & cetaceans appears to stay localized within groups or geographic populations, even when a species is global or regionally widespread. Makes me wonder to what degree diffusion of culture is restricted among intelligent species, and if complex language - or something else - is the adaptation that changes the paradigm for human, so to speak.
      As for that beak..
      I winced everytime the rat bit it and kept wondering how long it would take for a rat that size to gnaw through at least some outer portion (the keratin layer?) and do some real damage to the heron. I never noticed any indication that the bird had sustained any injury or the rat had struck any vascularized-tissue. Amazing how tough keratin is...
      *likely a degree of magnitude greater than mine, if I'm being honest..

    • @noctusowl
      @noctusowl 4 года назад

      Sorry, 3 years later, but I believe some herons do drown prey. But this is their normal behaviour. They already do much by changing the menu since their natural prey are fish and amphibian. But that means they do not expect prey to drawn, like crocodiles do.

  • @SeverinoSE
    @SeverinoSE 10 лет назад +21

    And a pint of Guinness... err... stream water to wash it down!

  • @geronimo4511
    @geronimo4511 3 года назад

    Amazing! Looked like rat's neck and/or back was eventually broken from the rapid shaking allowing the heron to finish the job

  • @Streiht_Menace
    @Streiht_Menace 3 года назад

    The soothing sounds of a babbling brook

  • @firstdondiego
    @firstdondiego 5 лет назад +13

    That rat is not going to enjoy the rest of it's weekend, that's for sure.

  • @4exgold
    @4exgold 10 лет назад +230

    funny how the rat in desperation tries nibbling on the beak. Also funny how people don't really mind a rat being drowned & throttled to death but if it's a cute wittle duckling, then that's baaaad, mmmkay?

    •  9 лет назад +55

      That's because rats are awful dickhead.....

    • @pendekarlautbiru
      @pendekarlautbiru 9 лет назад +62

      Because by liberal tree hugging logic animals can be categorized as 'good' or 'bad' depending on how cute they are.

    • @thebogangamer1
      @thebogangamer1 9 лет назад +9

      pendekarlautbiru lol, that is true, but all animals are amazing, but some have to die to feed others.

    • @zimbabwe_twinnedwithanfield
      @zimbabwe_twinnedwithanfield 7 лет назад

      RRR 855 lol

    • @anonymike8280
      @anonymike8280 6 лет назад +1

      Visceral. Ducklings turn into duck. Not ducks. Duck. Interest that we find the cutest, the young of the animals we most like to eat. Or those of our brother mamalian predators.

  • @guavaburst
    @guavaburst 5 лет назад +1

    Rat: you're breaking my arm dude!
    Heron: it gets far worse than that...

  • @WaynesAdventure
    @WaynesAdventure 3 года назад +1

    Heron is awesome and has one heck of a hunting style

  • @derwolfistda
    @derwolfistda 3 года назад +3

    At least it looks like the heron does not know, he could easily drown the rat in 2-3 minutes.

    • @samwh.9611
      @samwh.9611 3 года назад +1

      It's because he usually eats fish so he doesn't understand the concept of drowning!

  • @wparo
    @wparo 8 лет назад +57

    no diet coke with that?

    • @user-qf6lv2ez5x
      @user-qf6lv2ez5x 3 года назад

      Seven up is better.

    • @user-qf6lv2ez5x
      @user-qf6lv2ez5x 3 года назад

      سفن اب يمكن احسن هههههههههههههههه

    • @user-qf6lv2ez5x
      @user-qf6lv2ez5x 3 года назад

      الحيوان مثل الامير ابو منشار المجرم الهارب هههههههههههههههه

    • @floa3355
      @floa3355 3 года назад

      LMFAO

    • @rthelionheart
      @rthelionheart 3 года назад

      Nah nigga, a Corona is what's needed with it.

  • @coolermoves
    @coolermoves 4 года назад +1

    Great video. Herons have a variety of prey I never New they ate . I wonder if this is a one time thing or they would eat other prey besides fish .

  • @mikegan73
    @mikegan73 5 лет назад

    I see grey herons most of the time where I live but did not realize they catch and eat rodents, I taught it was only fish and perhaps insect and plant life. Educational video, thanks.

  • @saulosilva2316
    @saulosilva2316 9 лет назад +11

    Sir, this is one beautiful capture you made.

    • @typingcat
      @typingcat 5 лет назад +1

      Did you just assume the gender of the uploader?

  • @bikerboy3k
    @bikerboy3k 5 лет назад +7

    I was expecting the whole time for the heron to finish off the rat by impaling him with his beak.

  • @velvety2528
    @velvety2528 Год назад

    I love the way herons keep their head perfectly still before lunging like a spear

  • @bradbyron3620
    @bradbyron3620 3 года назад +1

    I've seen Heron and Egret eating fish before. They flip it around until the fins are facing up so they slide down easier. Amazing Birds

  • @josephfox9221
    @josephfox9221 9 лет назад +21

    sad to see, but the world is built on a sea of blood

    • @californiabrotherhood8114
      @californiabrotherhood8114 5 лет назад +3

      Joseph Fox im glad it’s killing the rat.
      Those animals carry diseases that can wipe humanity or destroys crops causing prices to go up.

    • @sunsinger7479
      @sunsinger7479 5 лет назад +1

      @@californiabrotherhood8114 I also reply to comments from 4 years ago

    • @carolynallisee2463
      @carolynallisee2463 3 года назад

      That's the way of life. Everything gets eaten by something else... even we do at the end.

  • @zzzzz77771
    @zzzzz77771 8 лет назад +15

    What a fascinating video, good catch! Was it patience that got the shot, or luck?

    • @zzzzz77771
      @zzzzz77771 8 лет назад +4

      *****
      Great work!

    • @davidsimmons8740
      @davidsimmons8740 8 лет назад +1

      what kind of question is that

    • @zzzzz77771
      @zzzzz77771 8 лет назад

      +David Simmons what kind of a comment is that.

    • @davidsimmons8740
      @davidsimmons8740 8 лет назад

      +SoWhat83 well herons are very patient and very skilled. catching a rat one be one of its easier targets. it didnt get lucky,they do this everyday of their lives. just didn't know if you were serious or not.

    • @zzzzz77771
      @zzzzz77771 8 лет назад +2

      David Simmons
      Learn to read.

  • @rodhash
    @rodhash 3 года назад

    So satisfying to watch!! How come youtube took 10 years to recommend this!?

  • @alexdelux2254
    @alexdelux2254 5 лет назад

    That water is movin fast and the bird was willing to fall in it and possibly drown so he could eat. Awesome!

  • @jamillagreen7999
    @jamillagreen7999 7 лет назад +6

    Great video, I love to see a rat or mouse getting done in. I hate them both!! Good Job Heron!!

  • @brighton43
    @brighton43 10 лет назад +3

    I like all wildlife but must admit I found it more acceptable seeing the heron eating the rat than I did the eels and ducklings on your other very good films. I would imagine the rat did a good bit of damage to the herons beak as he didn't stop chewing on it. It's some very good filming Paul thanks.

  • @rosemaryortega9879
    @rosemaryortega9879 3 года назад

    AMAZING footage!!! :-)

  • @More-Space-In-Ear
    @More-Space-In-Ear 5 лет назад

    Amazing capture, nature at its cruelest and best...

  • @crimsonking6773
    @crimsonking6773 7 лет назад +4

    that large beak is such a hard counter to small rodents, i've thought it over and short of nawing its own arm or leg off that rat wasn't going to get away, larger prehistoric birds most have had a heyday during there prime.

    • @ZC.Andrew
      @ZC.Andrew 5 лет назад

      Crimson King I enjoy your use of the term "hard counter" :)

  • @Vutsman1
    @Vutsman1 3 года назад +3

    The Rat almost got away. But like wrestling, one wrong move and dead.

  • @dinezrk
    @dinezrk 3 года назад

    Amazing footage 👏🏽

  • @WildlifeUKNatureByGlenO
    @WildlifeUKNatureByGlenO 3 года назад

    Great footage, nice work. 👍

  • @sgsmozart
    @sgsmozart 5 лет назад +81

    By just submerging the rat in the water for 30 seconds....the end would have been sooner.

    • @alberttopor6560
      @alberttopor6560 5 лет назад

      yea that is kind of why they are extinct

    • @HumbraHongryMHC
      @HumbraHongryMHC 5 лет назад

      Duh Bird Brain

    • @HangHangTwee
      @HangHangTwee 5 лет назад +9

      Steven S rats can hold their breath for a Long time

    • @xLilPuddinTater
      @xLilPuddinTater 5 лет назад +9

      Yeah I'll make sure to run that by the heron and see what he thinks. I'll let you know what he says

    • @GoogleUser-yj1wy
      @GoogleUser-yj1wy 5 лет назад +4

      No sh1t Einstein 😂

  • @BlackMamba1985
    @BlackMamba1985 5 лет назад +5

    The mice is getting smaller and smaller after each dipping into water

  • @tommyrott1962
    @tommyrott1962 5 лет назад

    Sweet video thank you for not flailing around, it was worth it

  • @Gordonsmusic911
    @Gordonsmusic911 5 лет назад

    Excellent video work!

  • @Lalo6169
    @Lalo6169 5 лет назад +4

    Love happy endings 🖤

  • @PlanetRockJesus
    @PlanetRockJesus 8 лет назад +6

    Herons are brutal predators. My favorite bird.

    • @wuddude1599
      @wuddude1599 5 лет назад

      Not too intelligent though. It could have easily drown the rat in a minute or 2. Drowning it would have been faster, easier to eat and there would be zero chance of the rat ripping a hole in its stomach.

    • @watutman
      @watutman 5 лет назад

      I like pelicans. I've seen them float at a standstill on a breeze, looking down at the river.

  • @BazColne
    @BazColne 5 лет назад

    Yet another excellent story.

  • @kaf890890
    @kaf890890 3 года назад

    That staring, dinosaur eye on the heron! I almost rooted for the tiny, terrified tetrapod.

  • @081908009999
    @081908009999 7 лет назад +2

    youtube search term is: "NATURE IS METAL"

  • @Train-train-h9k
    @Train-train-h9k 8 лет назад +14

    never been so captivated with so little action...
    HERONS are masters of torture...fascinating.

    • @profd65
      @profd65 3 года назад

      You're a psycopath.

    • @Train-train-h9k
      @Train-train-h9k 3 года назад

      @@profd65 😅No, i just hate rats.

  • @billr6983
    @billr6983 4 года назад

    Stunning footage. Great work getting this.

  • @raayderr
    @raayderr 7 лет назад +9

    Heron dipping the rat in the water like it's sauce

  • @2.1.4-bk7np
    @2.1.4-bk7np 4 года назад +4

    They would be well used in nyc where they have way to much rats 😂

  • @jaxxonbalboa3243
    @jaxxonbalboa3243 5 лет назад

    Rat is like "DON'T DUNK ME BRO!".

  • @jamaaldaynitelong8367
    @jamaaldaynitelong8367 3 года назад

    7:52-7:53
    Heron- (Chug chug) "Ahhhhh.."
    😂😂👍🏿💯

  • @chriswesterfield2042
    @chriswesterfield2042 3 года назад +3

    "The heron is not known as a bird of prey, but it is a predatory hunting bird." EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE.

    • @gshrdy5415
      @gshrdy5415 3 года назад +1

      It means it doesn't get eaten by any other birds/animals mostly, it hunts and eats other animals, fish etc.,

    • @gshrdy5415
      @gshrdy5415 3 года назад

      @Terry Melvin , he is asking about the difference between predator and prey, Heron is not known as prey.

  • @PAULLONDEN
    @PAULLONDEN 8 лет назад +3

    Rat had better gnawd its left front paw off,,,Seemed it gave up the ghost just before it got swallowed, otherwise it still could've done some serious damage to the heron's esophagus....Medieval Europe could've used a few of these birds during her black plague crisis...

    • @68404
      @68404 5 лет назад

      Wouldn't have stopped the fleas...

  • @richiel17
    @richiel17 4 года назад +1

    Our distant ancestors versus dinosaurs.

  • @thehammer6675
    @thehammer6675 3 года назад

    Amazing footage.

  • @matt8863
    @matt8863 8 лет назад +9

    I'd be more pissed off by the Heron dunking me in the water whenever it felt like it, than scared to death of the thing trying to consume me alive.

    • @antonioalbul00
      @antonioalbul00 3 года назад

      rats can swim so i guess it was a way to confuse him before killing it

    • @leevan2095
      @leevan2095 2 года назад

      No I think it's more for lubrication. To make the meal go down easier.

    • @toddbennett7157
      @toddbennett7157 2 года назад

      Inane.