This heron looks fabulous but the photo at left hides the story.
The bird has sores on many places on its body. In this pose the long feathers hide them, but a close up of the foot tells the tale.
Also when the feathers are blown back there are areas on the body where it looks like there are open sores.
I don't know what this is. Many birds molt, and change over their feathers at this time of year, but that's not what it looks like.
This heron hangs out at a marina in Nanaimo, near industry and heavy recreation use.
Herons seem to have adapted well to living amongst humans. They are seen everywhere on the B.C. coast, but they are listed as a species at risk both provincially and federally.
1 comment:
It's tragic when a creature pays for our industry with its own ill health. Makes sense that wading in polluted water and eating contaminated fish would eventually take a toll – but it could be (she says hopefully) simply age?
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