Are Rice Fields a Suitable Foraging Habitat for Purple Herons during the Breeding Season

Abstract

-Adult Purple Herons (Ardea purpurea) were observed while foraging along rivers and rice fields during the breeding season. Proportion of foraging time was higher in rice fields than on rivers and the relationship between biomass ingested in relation to foraging time was greater on rivers. The success of feeding attempts was similar in both habitats. Most Purple Herons preferred to forage along rivers but rice fields may be a valuable option. Received 12 May 2001, accepted 8July 2001.