@Summer Tanager I have seen them put out this pile of one-day chicks for the free-ranging storks and the red-crowned cranes that live in the Père David's deer exhibit, which is were this is done, during multiple of my visits over the last five years, and both I and others have posted photos of and/or commented on this before, so safe to say it is something that is done regularly if not daily. The wild grey herons (most common heron species here in Belgium and common at zoos also) aren't really the intended recipients of the chicks, but you can't stop them from getting some.
I have also seen piles of chicks put out for white storks in other zoos, so it seems relatively normal to me.
@KevinB Thank you for the info - I didn't realize this was that common but I shouldn't be surprised. I've only been on ZooChat for a couple of years, so I've missed the earlier photos with comments. My comment and question weren't meant to be as judgmental as they sound in hindsight - I just don't think I've seen this before in the the U.S. (But its possible that I have and was clueless to it). Thank you again
