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Grey Heron displays tongue in flight

on 22nd September 2010

“Standing at about a metre tall and with a wing span of about 2 metres, the Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) is one of the largest birds that can be found in Singapore.

“The Grey Heron’s flight is an elegant sight. The typical flight of the Grey Heron is usually quiet. Although it may call briefly during take off or landing, it will normally fly with its mandibles closed. It was a strange sight to see a Grey Heron flying by with its mandibles opened (above). It was even weirder to notice its tongue sticking out between the opened mandibles during flight. The bird was definitely not calling and the opened mandibles and stuck-out tongue remained that way during the brief period that it was in view, probably for around 4 to 5 seconds.

“The Grey Heron’s tongue is rarely displayed. It was the only time that I have witnessed a flying bird with its bills opened and with its tongue in display.”

Kwong Wai Chong
Singapore
15th September 2010

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

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