Blue Crab Special
Yesterday afternoon we were watching a few white ibis fishing in the salt marsh (along with our resident grumpy spoonbill, but more on that later) and were very surprised to see this ibis snag a large blue crab. White ibis generally feed on small fish, eels and various marine crustaceans such as little crabs.
This ibis was not at all intimidated by the size of it’s catch, it proceeded to systematically dismantle the crab by snapping off it’s legs one by one. Once the legs are gone the ibis will shake and crunch the remaining portion of the unfortunate crab, and then dine on the yummy insides. After reducing the large crab to a compact piece, the ibis decided to walk over to a more secluded area of the marsh as his friends had begun to pay too much attention to the action!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
WOW! I am learning so many things about birds 🙂 Great shots…. should be so enjoyable and exciting to watch them patiently of course! Thank you dear Phil, Love, nia
Thank you Nia, and yes it is fun and exciting to watch and photograph the birds we see! 🙂
How cleverly he eats this crab, even better than me 🙂
He really knows how to do it! Plus he is very fast, I would take much longer. 🙂
Awesome. TY for sharing. I just couldn’t get it right 😦
Well I really appreciate you checking this out and commenting Twila, thanks!
Gefällt mir sehr gut!
Ich bin sehr froh, dass du diese Fotos gern!
Awesome indeed. Now I know why it’s called a blue crab. (Never saw one before.)
These are more ‘people’ crabs then ibis crabs. Folks pay good money for these! 🙂
Yeah, I’ve heard of them, but never saw or ate one. Out here we have the Dungeness crabs. No blue feet.
Are you close enough to have access to real Alaska King Crab? If so is it super expensive?
It’s probably available in Portland, but I’m way the hell south of any of the bigger cities… so we get by just fine with our local Dungeness. Can’t say I’ve ever really looked for King Crab.
Fantastic shots. I’m really impressed.
I appreciate that very much thank you!
Great shots Phil, fantastic sharpness and detail.
Thanks much for your kind comments Jan.
Una serie di scatti meravigliosi, sono fantastici wowwwwww
Ciao, Pat
Sono molto felice ti è piaciuto queste ibis foto 😀
Grazie Pat
This is a great series, Phil. Hmmm…that phrase sounds familiar. 🙂 I especially like the third one down for the great look at the crab’s legs. And the next to last where you can almost see his cheeks bulging with crabby goodness. 🙂
That third photo makes the series in my view and I’m glad I got that because right after that he turned his back to me so those first ones are the only photos where you can really see the whole crab. The ibis basically turn the crab into a hockey puck by snapping off all it’s legs, and then finally, like you say, all that remains is the crabby goodness. 🙂
Wow…excellent series.
Thanks a million Edith, glad you like the ibis photos.
What a fantastic series of shots! Showing nature at its finish – the strong and smart survive!
It may seem harsh and I’m sure from the crab’s point of view it is since it’s a matter of survival. I have though seen crabs stick their claws out defiantly at a bird and successfully chase it off. But so it goes in nature.
Glad you liked these photos!
Really interesting photos. I can’t help but think that his job would be much easier if he had more than just his beak to work with!
I am continually surprised at how strong that kind of fragile looking downward curved bill must be. These birds don’t mess around.
What can I say… that is beyond cool photography!
Well thanks very much go glad you liked these!
What can I say… that is beyond cool photography!
Thanks Phil,
We really enjoyed the Ibis with the crab. We don’t know if you noticed but that was a soft-shell crab, much easier for the bird to eat than that last one you sent me with that large old hard-shell. That was a very large soft-shell!!! Have been enjoying all your Photos, keep up the good work!
Thanks very much for looking and commenting Phil and I’m happy you enjoy the photos.
Awesome serie of photos!
Thank you so much Hans!
Now I know how they manage to eat the crab. Thanks for posting the series, Phil! How fascinating.
Yes they really do demolish those crabs quite quickly Amy and seem to have no problems at all. 🙂
What a feat! Humans would never be that kind of technically refined and still be so pretty! ▲ Great Shots, Phil!
Oh yes these birds are very skilled at feeding on their favorite snacks! Thanks so much I’m happy you like the photos!
Phil, this is freaking unbelievable….LOVE it! Incredible job on both of your parts☺
I greatly appreciate your very kind words and that ibis really is some skilled bird isn’t he?! 🙂
Yet again, brilliant pictures, Phil! Not only do you manage to be in the right place at the right time but you always seem to know how to get the best out of your beautiful wildlife!
Well Maggie I just sit back and let the birds do all the work I am simply there to record some of their amazing behavior. Thanks very much!
Of course I love these shots for the action! Did not know ibis’ go for big crabs like that. But also I like th colors….the blue eyes of the ibis and orange red coloring next to the blues of the crab. Makes for nice imagery all ’round.
I also really like the deep blue eye on the adult white ibis. The juvies still have a darker eye. They sure do make short work of a big crab though don’t they?! 🙂
Just got home and went right to see these pictures Phil. That is really something else you get the greatest
shots in the world.
Thank you very much for your kind words Geri and I’m happy you enjoyed these photos.
That is one big meal. Great photos of all the action, Phil. I am amazed at what birds can devour.
It never fails to amaze me what some of these birds will catch and consume but I’m happy to be able to see much of it.
It’s so interesting to see how the ibis manages its catch. I found this fascinating through these great shots. I like how he moved to a more secluded spot….HIS catch!
It is fairly typical for an ibis, heron, or egret to move out of the water and away from the area after a nice catch.
One reason to get out of the water is that if the bird caught a fish and drops it back into the water the fish may swim away and the meal is lost. The other reason to move is that a catch that may take a bit of time to eat will attract all sorts of unwanted attention form other hungry wildlife.
Of course in this case the ibis was moving to get away from his ‘friends’, that crab wasn’t going anywhere. 🙂
That’s one huge and very unlucky crab, Phil! Your pics are absolutely awesome. I’m sure I can hear the crunching noise as his shell cracks open. 😯
Yes poor crabby did have a good day at all. And much the same as when an alligator catches one…you can hear the crunch. 😯
I’d rather take your word for it, Phil. 🙂
When I saw the first shot I thought he was being a tad ambitious but he managed it in the end
Apparently it depends on the individual bird and how bold (or how hungry) it may be. I have seen other ibis pass by crabs that size with no attempt to capture and eat it.
Such a beautiful crab (poor thing). It’s obvious that ibis knew exactly how to manage his big catch. Great shots, Phil.
Yes this bird appeared quite experienced in the fine art of dismantling a fresh caught crab.
Glad you liked these ibis photos!