Many years ago, whilst spending happy hours at the water hole of Okaukuejo (in own right the greatest waterhole on Planet Earth imho.), we were privileged to watch a Grey Heron hunting. With consummate patience, it caught and devoured six doves (you read right!), at a rate of about one per hour. At the same waterhole we watched three jackals kill a springbok. The two dozen observing visitors were enthralled by the skill of the jackals; no-one even noticed the heron – but we did, and since that day, I was convinced that there was no greater hunter.
It all came back to me this week as we watched a hamerkop devour what looks like a platanna at Pilanesberg.
We have spent some time watching hamerkops hunting. To observe them standing perfectly still on a rock in a stream waiting for a passing small fish is strangely peaceful (and often a good photo opportunity). Indeed we have seen them catch and consume many tiddlers. This was different. The hamerkop flew in from its perch about twenty metres away, and aggressively attacked the poor victim. Thereafter followed a two minute duel, as the frog was dipped in water, stabbed, dropped, recovered and had the process repeated several times, until eventually swallowed whilst still very much alive and kicking (literally).
No subtleties in the process here, and a very different approach to the revered Grey Heron. And yet it was riveting. But again, we were the only ones enthralled by this action. It seems that the other observers had no interest in a hamerkop; only a full-scale lion hunt and kill would satisfy. Actually it is quite sad, because people miss out through ignorance.
This blog goes out to people who love birds, and therefore it becomes easy for me to suggest that you look for the little things – a shrike and a grasshopper, a pied kingfisher hovering – enjoying our natural heritage is as much about the little guys as about the apex predators.
