If you’ve ever had the pleasure of seeing a heron looking for food, you already know how fascinating it is. These beautiful birds are quiet and patient. They wade in shallow waters, completely still, awaiting the perfect moment to pluck a fish, frog, or some other small aquatic animal out of the water.

Well, at least that’s how a lot of herons find their meals.

Photo Credit: Adobe Stock/frank1crayon

These spindly-legged birds are surprisingly cunning!

In the video below, you’ll see a heron that is somewhat famous around the grounds of a Hawaiian hotel. Affectionately known by staff as “Hank,” this night heron isn’t alone–he shares the hotel’s many water features with swans.

Unfortunately for Hank, the swans are much larger and can easily overpower him when it comes to collecting the generously offered scraps of food that are thrown their way by guests of the hotel.

But Hank’s no bird-brain!

And, well, he’s also got that heron patience.

Instead of instantly devouring the few scraps of food he’s able to get his beak on, he does something incredible with it–something his cousins, the green herons, are known for doing! But we don’t want to spoil it.

Take a look at the video below to see how Hungry Hank outsmarts his peers. We’re pretty sure you’ll be as impressed as we are! Enjoy!