Heron becomes NYC icon after being pictured devouring rat for breakfast in Central Park

The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A photographer has captured the incredible moment a Great Blue Heron devoured a freshly-caught New York City rat at Central Park Pond this morning. He posted his snap this morning, with the caption: “Great Blue Herons eat plenty of fish, but they won’t pass up a meaty and filling New York City rat—this morning at the Central Park Pond.” He later added video footage of the meal, showing the heron swallowing the rat down whole in just a few speedy gulps. Mr Barrett wrote: “It took the Great Blue Heron only a few seconds to lift the rat, once killed, out of the water and swallow it.” The images quickly circulated on Twitter, with observers commenting that rats are a favoured snack for urban herons on both sides of the pond. Perhaps cos the rats scamper around the edge of the water exactly where the herons spend most of their time.” Another user, NAPNYC posted their own snap of a heron eating a rodent in Central Park earlier in the week, captioned: “A great blue heron was having lunch at the #CentralPark Loch earlier today.” Twitter user Grace responded: “Incredible photos.