Abstract
Feeding behaviour and territoriality in the Little Egret Egretta garzetta were studied during 1990-1991 in two differrent feeding habitats, lotusfields (37°31′N, 138°52′E), and a river (37°39′N, 139°16′E), in central Japan. There was an intimate relationship between feeding methods and the mobility of prey. Large fish, whose mobility were high, were caught with "stand and wait" tactics. Middle fish, whose mobility were moderate, were caught with "walking" tactics in particular with the techniques of "chasing" type. Small fish, crayfish and loach, whose mobility were low, were caught with "walking" tactics (in particular with the techniques of "not-chasing" type). In the lotusfields, egrets established long-term feeding territories. The boundaries of these territories were very distinctive. I termed these territories "lotusfield type territory". In the river, egrets did not establish "lotusfield type territory". But the egrts that used "stand and wait" tactics excluded others nearby them. I termed these exclusive areas "river type territory". These territories maintained for a short period. These two types of feeding territories in each study area were discussed with reference to prey types and feeding habitat.
