THE striated heron (also known as the Green-backed heron) uses a bait to lure its prey. The bird places a feather, leaf or a live insect on the surface of the water and waits motionless on an overhanging bush just above the water. As soon as a fish or a crab approaches the bait, the heron pounces on the prey and devours it. Sometimes it stirs up the water with its feet to bring small marine creatures to the surface.
The striated heron lives close to mangroves, estuaries, mudflats and coral reefs and is distributed widely around the world.