I love going out and watching the birds in the morning near my house. Some days you just get lucky and there are huge flocks of different birds all together. Below are a couple of my favorite videos from that demonstrate how the different birds feed. This was great inspiration as I was finishing up the Jenny book!

A Spoonbill, a Wood Stork and White Ibises

Notice the Spoonbill in the back sweeping it's open bill from side to side. When a little fish or shrimp tickles the hairs that line the inside of the bill, it will snap shut. The Wood Stork in front has an open bill and is digging with its foot to scare up critters like crayfish, crabs and frogs. Sometimes it puts a wing out - perhaps for balance? Finally, you can see the Ibises near the shore with their long, curved orange bills. They are poking and prodding down in the muddy bank for crabs and crayfish.

Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and White Ibises

Notice how much larger the Great Egrets are compared to the Snowy Egrets. The Great Egret can also be distinguished by its sharp yellow bill. The Snowy has a smaller, black bill but bright yellow feet. Aren't those yellow feet fun!? The Great Egret is more likely to be standing still like a statue with it's long neck coiled back - ready to thrust out when a fish swims near. In this video, the Snowy Egrets are very active - dancing across the water and snatching little fish off the surface. They tend to perch on low branches near the water where they can also reach fish by snapping their necks out.

Finally, you can see the White Ibis with their long, orange bills poking around in the mud near the shore for crawfish and crabs.