Hacking Up A “Hairball”
Or in this case…hacking up a crab. 🙂
Earlier this weekend I was watching a white ibis fishing in the salt marsh during low tide. At one point the ibis bent down, opened his mouth up wide, and at first I didn’t know what he was doing. When I saw something pop out into his mouth, I quickly realized he had just hacked up a small crab that must have been stuck in his throat.
The ibis then dipped the crab into the water apparently to get it lubricated for smooth trip back down the hatch where it stayed down nicely this time!
Phil Lanoue Photography 
Yikes. That could hurt. I think I might have discarded it.
It took him a good minute to completely hack up that crab and I thought he might leave it but guess he really wanted it.
I think he was saving that for later…
Once it was all nicely marinated it was good to go!
I guess he choked on it a bit the first time. I know you were at the ready for a Heimlich! Glad he got it out, then back down the hatch! 🙂
A Heimlich! Great idea! I had not thought about that. I wonder if he would have welcomed the rescue? I could just imagine grabbing him and pushing in on his stomach to get the crab to come busting out! Too funny!
Cool shots! Must have gone down the wrong way. Or maybe the crab was pinching too hard.
Smart Bird!!! Smarter than humans, for sure, great shot!!!!
That makes a change from watching the cat with a hairball!
Hey, if there’s a will, there’s a way! “You get back in there…”
Wow…I wonder if Ted would hack this crab up in the same manner. The ibis makes regurgitating look somewhat clean….! Love the pics, Phil!
that is hilarious!
jw
Such precision!