Pond Boss Forums INTRO Questions & Observations fish predators

I have a problem with cranes and king fishers. I ordered a crane decoy should be here any day now. I didn't think the king fishers would be a problem but I am not sure. I see as many as 5-6 at a time. They nail the pond one after another. I don't know for sure but I think there is a lot more that frequent my pond. I fed my bluegills the other day. When I got back to the house and watched the swirls I saw a fisher nail one of the fish. I had quite a few small fish in my last stocking 2" or so. I usually wouldn't stock that small be he had some extras cheap. I was just wondering if anyone had heard of fishers causing any problems or concern. I have a good enough population of large gill that I'm sure they can't do to much damage. I couldn't help but to ask.

AaronhomeIN,

My opinion is that the king fishers don't even make a dent in your fish population. They are relatively small birds and granted it is a bit disconcerting to see them rob you of fish but the numbers just can't be significant.

Herons (cranes?) on the other hand may be more cause for concern. One heron occasionally visiting isn't a concern but several on a regular basis would be a concern to me. They do not like to be disturbed and will generally find another place to go if you harass them a bit.

The clear, undeniable top of the bird fisheating chain is the infamous water turkey. Nothing compares to their destruction (maybe pelicans can come close but they don't frequent inshore waters much). If you don't have the WT, count yourself lucky.

We don't see water turkeys this far inland. Only the gobbling variety.

KC,

If you have water, they will come.

http://migratorybirds.fws.gov/issues/cormorant/migration.html

I usually get visited by large white pelicans twice a year during migration I guess. Thankfully they only stay a couple days are gone. Those are large birds.

Please excuse my ignorance. I have read alot on this forum regarding these water turkeys. What is that? I have never heard mention of a water turkey in our area. It maybe no one has ever worried about them or understood them around here. I am just not familiar. I am in northeast Indiana.

As for cranes. I have chased the heck out of them just to find them back the next day. I have even tried the 22 magnum explosion on the waters edge to scare them. Once again no good. I know that one of them is a frequent visitor because he has about 6 inches of wing feathers missing to identify him. I am still waiting for my decoy. I am going on vacation this weekend and don't want to leave the pond without some kind of security. I can see coming back to a crane party of 10 with bluegill ale carte in front of them. My gills have come back in to make beds and are easy prey now.

Still curious if anyone else is using a crane decoy and their results. If not I will post my results.

I have green herons, and the greater and lesser great blue herons. Most people around hear refer to them as cranes, slang.

Cecil Baird1 had a heron problem and used monofiliment line stretched between sticks placed along the water line, just high enough and far enough back to prevent the birds from reaching the fish. It worked for me. I had a very small kingfisher, 6" tall and he ate 3 2" fish every day until they out grew him, about a month.

Aaron, the water turkey is a cormorant. They are serious fish eaters and can actually swim under water to chase and catch fish. In some parts of the world they are trained to catch and retrieve fish. They are deadly. Last weekend I saw two different varieties at two different ponds.

Cormorant: http://www.iisgcp.org/EXOTICSP/cormorant.html

We probably do ourselves a disservice when we use the term "water turkey" rather than "cormorant". It's fun to use local terminalogy, it shows that we are part of the "in crowd".

Think of all the problems we have with local names in fish. bz had an outstanding discussion about electricity. What if he had used local terms? It seems like such a small thing but it leads to being less professional when what we are trying to do is become more professional.

Actually, Norm, I think it's "terminology"

To everyone that was confused by the politically incorrect term of water turkey, yes it was meant to apply to the cormorant, not as the "in crowd" but as a demeaning reference to a vile, destructive bird. So very sorry for the confusion. In the future, I will be sure to say "water turkey, aka cormorant" to avoid any possible confusion.

So whats the problem with Water Turkeys anyway? I keep seeing terse remarks about them but I see no evidence of them being a problem. Since when did they ever hurt anyone (or anything)?

Newbie,

Water turkeys, aka cormorants, eat fish...in copious numbers. Here on this forum, most of us are into raising fish and like to protect them (fish) from being eaten by critters other than what we choose.

I love birds, most birds, that is. We go to great lengths to protect them and provide sanctuary on our Texas ranch, which isn't named "Meadowlark Ranch" for nothing.

There is a bird, however, that is so destructive to fish that you absolutely can not tolerate them....in East Texas at least. If you are kind to one water turkey, he will return with 30 of his friends and will clean out your pond. I do not exagerate. I have experienced it. Commercial fish growers will tell you the same. Most fisher persons are now realizing the terrible impact these "endangered" birds have on the fisheries.

They are even in the tropics of Mexico destroying mangrooves with their excrement and consuming untold numbers of baitfish. Their numbers are uncountable, not endangered. I have seen them there and have experienced their destruction on our Meadowlark ranch first hand as well. I cut them no slack. If you want a vibrant pond with forage fish and you are located on the water turkey, aka cormorant flyway, you will do the same. Thanks.