Abstract: Egrets and herons are important components of the wetland ecosystem in the Taihu Lake.Investigations were conducted of their feeding habitats and preys in 1999 and 2000,revealing how egrets and herons of different species selected their feeding habitats,what they preyed on,and how the pollution of the local environment affected egrets and herons.It was discovered that little egrets and night herons sought for prey in fish ponds and lakes at Yuantouzhu area in Wuxi.On lakes,little egrets usually preyed on shores while night herons would also seek prey over the water in the center of the lake.Chinese pond herons had a wider range of feeding habitat,but fish ponds were their major feeding area.The egrets and herons fed mainly on fish,which accounted for 100% of the diet of little egret chicks,and for 95% of the diet of night heron chicks.Night heron chicks also received small amounts of frogs,crustaceans and small sized mammals.

Key words: Egretta garzetta, Nycticorax nycticorax, Ardeola bacchus, feeding habitat, prey, Yuantouzhu in Wuxi