Green Heron - the art of catching and eating crayfish

Green Heron is a master of catching and eating crayfish.
If Green Heron catches a big crayfish, it removes claws first.
After that it is able to swallow the claw-less crayfish.
Green Heron repositions crayfish to have tail first.
However, it swallows fish head-fist.
00:19 Green Heron got a crayfish
01:27 Green Heron remove first claw from the crayfish
02:20 Green Heron remove second claw from the crayfish
02:23 Green Heron lost and caught the crayfish
02:49 Green Heron swallowed the crayfish
02:57 Green Heron swallowed the crayfish
02:58 Green Heron made happy loud scream "tasty!"
03:01 Green Heron flew home
San-Franscisoo Bay area
#greenheron #GreenHeronFishing #GreenHeronEatsCrayfish

[@hankakah4180]

The deftness of how the heron was able to move the crayfish around to grab each claw and eventually shaking it so they come off was impressive. It makes you wonder if that's how Asians began to use chopsticks as seeing how an bird can do so without hands and just two beaks. Watching nature can teach you a lot of things. Like how to handle something without getting pinched, burned, and being adept at it. Picking up a single grain of rice? If birds can do it, we can.

[@natbelhome]

Great imagination! Looks like a plausible explanation!

[@mr.nobody3661]

These types of videos are what youtube was made for.

[@Bensketball]

Gotta love the satisfying lip smack at the end.

[@natbelhome]

It is saying: "Life is gooooooood"

[@Dave-pt2qd]

Working hard for a meal. Respect ✊

[@natbelhome]

I agree. In many descriptions Green Heron is called "one of a few intelligent birds who uses some tools for hunt". It is a pleasure to watch it hunting.

[@nayanpune4971]

It's fascinating to watch he is pressing that prawn from all the sides before gulping it.

[@touchedbynature5445]

Beautiful Looking Heron, Brilliant video many thanks for sharing. 🇬🇧

WOW, beautiful green heron.Fantastic video.

[@JAMAICABOYY.]

I guess he had a bad experience eating the claws before 😂

[@natbelhome]

Possibly. Everyone learns through pain...Otherwise, it will not survive for long.

[@hanajinks1044]

...it would appear so.

[@hankakah4180]

Actually a lot of their habits are natural instincts and ingrained into their species. A housecat can kill a cobra, when they've never seen one before.

[@duckshaker]

Fantastic video!!! It's amazing those birds have learned to remove the claws!

[@natbelhome]

I guess we can see only green herons who did learned to remove the claws...

[@pargm9543]

Thanks god for giving me two hand

[@Cats2Fat]

But no wings!

[@Galaxy-ig8si]

Hands*

[@pargm9543]

@@Galaxy-ig8si thanx god for giving me knowledge of 3 more language other than mother tongue

[@Galaxy-ig8si]

@@pargm9543 You are blessed indeed. May our God continue to bless you.

[@99wc57]

Evolution.

[@tsutl84]

That bird is lightning fast! Ripped the arm off the crayfish, dropped it, and caught the crayfish midair in less than a blink of the eye.

[@notmyrealname2874]

1:24 lightning fast !!

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnx

[@monilparikh5171]

every living creature has some talent just like you have the useless talent to describe what the video is as if others dont know that and likewise Heron has fast refelxes. Keyboard champ! Keep it up

[@erkankaragoz2473]

I wonder why predator birds soak their preys into water

[@nunpuiapachuau2894]

Johny sins is a little bit faster

[@jakubprzyrodnik]

Thanks for sharing this wonderful footage. A unique moment. Breathtaking.

[@chronic2001n]

He ripped the claw off, dropped it, and then caught the flailing body in mid air in a split second. Wtf.

[@kolapyellow7631]

Very smart bird. Respect.

[@ceemfajtswm4465]

What a smart bird.!

[@FunnySurpriseToys]

Hey Friend! Thank you and have a happy weekend! Like #14

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@roenherkth2821]

My favorite bird

[@AnowarHossain-uy7eq]

Very beautiful bird in the nature.

[@garys8754]

Phenomenal video.

[@bobbybrooks4826]

Bird's I think Lost their stomachs along with most of their digestive system to become lighter for flight and replaced it with a blender.

[@matthewspry4217]

I was watching thinking how's he gonna eat dat. Oh whole damn

[@bobbybrooks4826]

@@matthewspry4217 there's a tube video of I think sea gull on a ocean side Rocky mountain eating a entire rabbit .... It was not small and it did it. ... And after it couldn't fly

[@jimmeyer4530]

Nice footage!

[@LynsHomeGardenDesign]

That is so clever, but I sort of feel sorry for the crayfish ... great moment captured!

[@addy9318]

Aww Baby ! Thats so sweet of yours

[@donnk]

crayfish cant feel pain

[@7gpanda744]

saw some piece of a white string that maybe used to roll a batch of crayfish together.. :) It was dropped later near the claws :)

[@Hamdan1970]

Very nice

[@IreneDowningNature]

So sweet . Lovely video .Beautiful capture. A joy to watch. Enjoyed Irene.🌸

[@natbelhome]

It is a very rare bird in this place (San-Francisco Bay Area, CA). In about 10 years I lived there I saw it the first time. Almost every day for about a month I was passing this narrow stream (~ 2-3 meters wide), I saw it, and in 10-15 min. Green Heron was catching 1-2-3 crayfishes. Now the grass is too high, and it is hard to make a video. It is a very skillful hunter. I liked to observe its very meticulous checking all potential spots for hunt.

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@rosehernandez475]

What a beautiful 🐦

[@michaelwolfe8888]

Nice video! Great camera work and editing.

[@natbelhome]

Practically no editing - only added title and cut several pieces. This Green Heron is a very plesant actor - it moves slow, allows to come closer (~ 20ft). A pleasure to record it.

[@ramonedetroitguam6075]

he grabbed that fool like chopsticks...😂

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

Thank you for a very interesting video! And the interest in this video is not the eating of cancer (Pacifastacus fortis) by a wading bird (Butorides virescens), but the presence of this cancer (Pacifastacus fortis) in Santa Clara County!!! Your video expands the range of cancer (Pacifastacus fortis) from Shasta County to Santa Clara County!!! That's the most interesting thing in your video!!!

[@natbelhome]

Good to know. Until now, they all were just a "crawfish" to me. At least last two seasons, when I noticed a green heron hunting for fish and crayfish from march to june, I see a lot of herons and snow egrets hunting for crayfish. This spring I will pay attention to different crawfish species. At least, I recorded two differently colored species - one - reddish, and other - grey.

[@natbelhome]

I remembered differently looking crayfish I recorded: (Grey Heron and crayfish). kzbin.info/www/bejne/fIPaqGxuarV8d6s Starting from ~ 00:34 you can see crayfihs closely and judge by yourself. At the time of recording I thought it was age/gender/season difference. I would not be so certain...

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

@@natbelhome This species is similar to Procambarus clarkii!?

[@subhastheboss]

Hence, Chopsticks were invented.

[@onamemmet]

Very nicely filmed.

[@tjp353]

Very clever birds. There's a video of a heron using bread to catch fish - instead of just eating the bread.

[@natbelhome]

I saw that video (one of many clones of the same movie, did not find the original). I got the idea that it was wishfull thinking - people were throwing the bread. However, Green Heron is described in many tutorials like "an intelligent bird using some tools during hunting".

[@clownworld3107]

I think the bird cut the claws to avoid getting pinched in the throat or stomach during digestion process

[@natbelhome]

I guess you are right. It is better to de-claw the crayfish.

[@nelsonlobo3615]

Not throat or stomach only... maybe the last part😀

[@PamelaFarmer]

I think I saw a green heron at Lake Temescal in Oakland on Christmas day. Too far to get a really good look, but it wasn't a black capped night heron. Lovely video!

[@natbelhome]

It does not look so coloroful most of the time - it looks greenish only at specifilc angle under the sun. It is "changing" colors like a chameleon under the sun. Also, Green Heron is at least twice smaller than Night Heron. When I recorded it first time (in ~ 10 years I live here), I spent a lot of time to identify it. It was "definitely" Heron type, but "green" was not evident on my first video (recorded on cloudy day). in this particular video it is clearly "Green".

[@nelsonlobo3615]

At least the 2 wicked hands were left for me.

[@skillsshows]

great video 👍

[@YASIRALIVIRK]

Lovely nature

[@SteveTheFazeman]

Hearing the jets from SFO reminds me of Norfolk Botanical Gardens. It's situated next to the airport. Yet, it has aquatic birds like this Green Heron. Thanks for sharing this interesting video.

[@natbelhome]

Yes, it is a center of the town. Noise from everywhere: cars, airpalnes, people...

[@theshiv5288]

As for the crayfish ......longest 3 minutes of his life.

[@Jin88866]

Still better than being boiled alive with Old Bay

[@carlospontini]

Classe !

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

So this species of crayfish Pacifastacus fortis lives not only in Shasta County, but also in Santa Clara county!!! This is a very interesting moment, even a discovery!!!

[@dlighted8861]

I saw a seagull that was whipping around with something on its chest. I thought "Oh lord its a fishing lure hooked in."😶 As I got closer it was apparent it was not a lure but a crayfish whirling about.😮 The seagull tried to eat it but the crayfish said no way.😄 The seagull took off over the water with the crayfish still swinging around. Then it must have let go and fell into the water. Good for you mister crayfish.😁

[@natbelhome]

Yes, seagulls are very aggressive. I guess, they can handle small crayfish too.

[@StillAliveAndKicking_]

Very nice video.

[@kemvoeurn]

Wow!! So clever

[@FollowThomas]

Great shot! I see them here in Florida often.

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@sourendramondal4496]

Thomsd chabdjshzghfzfjdgfig ha cuff discouragements chorizo

[@BirdsIndia]

Wonderful

[@sajjadg2737]

Amazing

[@FirstLast-sw1gx]

Crazy how they know to eat a fish by the head first but a crayfish tail first.

[@NewsBangla7100]

yy

[@natbelhome]

Yes, I would call it 'bird's intelligense'. They reposition the prey the way to swallow easier

[@huylengentertainment8794]

Wow!

[@rddotmedia2155]

Nice video

[@user-nm8rf3hg9b]

ザリガニのハサミはちゃんともぎ取って食べるのか 賢いなぁ

[@thomascorbett2936]

Wow, birds are very clever .

[@natbelhome]

Yes, they are skillful too.

[@NE_Pigeons]

Super focused!

[@natbelhome]

Yes, Green Heron is very focused to catch and properly eat its dinner.

[@NewsBangla7100]

nice video

[@dadaniskandar6754]

2:22. Oh no...Oh no....Oh No No No No Nooooo

[@huahuahua6587]

Expert 👍👍👍

[@heathenthatheretic5960]

This maybe a dumb question but why is the word "Green" in its name when nothing on is green

[@natbelhome]

Dont' worry. I had the same question too. When I first recorded this bird, I did not know the name of the bird and searched different bird identification sites. I was very hesitent to assign it to "green heron" when I did not see any green color. On the sun, dark back and crown are really look dark greenish. After a while I started "to see" this subtle greenish color on bird.

[@sharifsalama]

Bellissimo video

[@gregbrown9792]

Man, what a lot work for a meal

[@rridderbusch518]

@Greg Brown It's free, so that's cool. But 3 minutes is "a lot of work" ???

[@gregbrown9792]

@@rridderbusch518 depends on what you do for 3 minutes

[@marcelo_rcosta]

Habilidoso!

[@antoniodossantos5960]

Nice...🌎

[@Eric_W]

@ 2:56 YUM!

[@petloversclub987]

So beautiful

[@cuentaclientes6723]

2:24 "Dónde va gonorrea!!!"

[@sonju2k71]

What a pretty bird, reminded me of a girl.

[@sutats]

Shake it off -T. Swift

[@tomquimby6432]

One day you're just swimming around in the creek the next you're somebodies lunch.

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@natbelhome]

It is sad life reality. Just imagine how our ancestors feel in prehistoric era...

[@Hey-gg5bc]

1:26 He's just like a magician!

[@natbelhome]

Yes, at 02:20 it removed the second claw and dropped it where the first claw was.

[@Hey-gg5bc]

@@natbelhome I'm sure he is a great magician!

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

Tell me, please, what is the name of this stream? And which locality is the closest to the shooting location?

[@asmrbeast]

Nice video👌👌

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@nissanodisho9886]

👌👍👍

[@Hallands.]

the claws need to come off first

[@aviciouswalrus1303]

He got that 'stendo neck 😳

[@saylor150]

Bird likes sushi. We have so much in common.

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@liljons6753]

Was enjoying the nature sound until the jet

[@natbelhome]

Yes, too many airplanes. I would prefer to hear only nature too.

[@chiya2006]

He had to do some trimming of a back strap 😄.

[@natbelhome]

It would hep too

[@amritsharma5373]

Now the fish becomes the bird.

[@natbelhome]

Why?

[@vassa1972]

Couldn't believe it ate the whole crawfish shell and all

[@DarkVoidIII]

Do they ignore the legs or swallow them after they stop moving? I would hazard a guess and say the leg might be edible if the pincers no longer post a threat. They didn't appear to move much afterwards.

[@natbelhome]

Yes, they swallow small crayfish without any preparation. Look at other video (second part) where Green Heron catches several different in size items. For one (~ 6:17 ) Green Heron uses a rock as a tool to handle a crayfish. This Green Heron is the best actor any photographer can dream of. It is moving slowly, allowing to follow him closely. Also, he is a great performer - in 10-15 minutes he catches 1-2-3 items. I saw him often in the spring when grass was not tall. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bGObdKCHnLyXrMk

[@hangmai1296]

Xinh đẹp dễ thương ! 😊💖

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@user-hj5rk5wy3l]

Красивая птица -- а рак один в один как у меня рядом с домом обитают 😀✌

[@natbelhome]

Crayfish (english) речной рак (русский).

[@danielerickson3391]

I see a Dinosaur hunting

[@AbduqodirTv]

Masha Alloh

[@premg516]

Legs are stiff to eat , so she avoid

[@nguyentrangeakar1274]

Chao bạn

[@FenixPajarito]

The Shrimp 🦐 Was Like "Just Eat Me Already Goddamm!!!

[@natbelhome]

I guess you are right. Three muinutes of hell for a crafish... Wild life is cruel.

[@steve0826]

Reminded me of the movie MIB.

[@natbelhome]

@@steve0826 Do you mean "Man in black" movie?

[@steve0826]

@@natbelhome, yes, watch this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/r6LTZmWlj8llrKs

[@eirythma9404]

@2:24 almost making a bad look 😂

[@natbelhome]

Yes, it is a small flaw... Without it, movie would be perfect "how to eat crayfish" demo for young green herons.

[@xThanatos1025]

Going to be even more fun on the way out

[@NewsBangla7100]

tnq

[@xThanatos1025]

@@NewsBangla7100 What did you just call me?

[@jamieyz123]

< Being Green Heron < Red and Gray

[@natbelhome]

Red Heron name is already taken, Gray Heron - is taken too. Only Green Heron name is left ...

[@5phutsangtao-iQ]

And what is the stork catching?

[@natbelhome]

Crayfish ...And It is not a stork, it is a Green Heron (as is in the title)

[@sollerhollersoulblade6126]

when you need that bird to play for The South African Cricket Team 😂

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

Please tell me the date of the shooting, if you remember (the date and month, better not in numbers)?

[@natbelhome]

Each recording has a timestamp, no need to remember... This one was recorded on March 29, 2020 (It was a rare occasion when I downloaded movie the same day I recorded it).

[@SKIronman323]

Fish lives matters.

[@219garry]

1:27, What's left for the rest of us after taxes!

[@natbelhome]

02:19 - returns

[@219garry]

@@natbelhome Ahhh, good eye. They call that the stimulus package. LOL

[@natbelhome]

@@219garry Oh, yea

[@cju4300]

Ops.. almost lost the crayfish

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

Please tell me if this video was shot in Shasta County, or not!? I'm asking this because Pacifastacus fortis cancer is endemic to Shasta County located in California.

[@natbelhome]

Exact location: Santa Clara County, Lower penitencia Creek , near Curtner elementary school, Milpitas. This creek is only 3-4 meters wide, so it is convinient to follow and record the green heron who is walkning on opposite side of the creek.

[@user-pm7gu2kz2k]

Вкусно))

[@user-rk5mt7iq8n]

I think this kind of crayfish is called Pacifastacus fortis - en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacifastacus_fortis This type of cancer is just found in California. It was pushed by another species of crayfish - Pacifastacus leniusculus, which was launched into the San Lorenzo River in 1912, and from there it quickly spread throughout the state of California.

[@natbelhome]

This one is an endangered crayfish species endemic to Shasta County. From your link, it has a very narrow habitat. I recorded this video in San-Francisco Bay Area, Santa Clara county. Crayfish is not an endangered specie here. However, I may be wrong.

[@franchilstervil3587]

Agree with the title of catching not so sure about the eating.

[@bittertruth4847]

He have started to develop webs

[@firebrand07]

The belch at 2:58 says it all.

[@natbelhome]

I thought it was green heron's happy voice: "Life is good after good diner!"

[@firebrand07]

@@natbelhome Found it interesting how the heron kept at it until both pinchers fell off and then it was all over but the ride down the gullet.