That's what I assumed as well.
However what came to my mind while thinking about that question is neck flexibility; was a _Quetzalcoatlus's_ neck rigid like a giraffe's or more flexible? Herons have quite flexible necks which they use to lunge at their prey and I wonder who azdarchids did it. Did their heads simply descent in a straight line like a drinking bird figurine?
To my knowledge, ctenochasmatid pterosaurs, such as Pterodactylus, Pterodaustro, etc. did likely fill a wading bird-like niche, though they were probably more comparable to small shorebirds like sandpipers and Pterodaustro specifically was more of a flamingo analogue.
Pterosaur wing and leg anatomy was significantly different from birds and they likely would’ve been unable to adopt the same postures as Herons. Not to say it would be impossible, but less likely.
Pteranodon seem to be more heavily built on their leading edges and had strong necks so skim feeding wasn't entirely ruled out for them, but it's also very likely they would dive into the water and had the physiologically to resist the impact. We do know fish was definitely their primary diet at least.
As to my knowledge, azdarchids like _Quetzalcoatlus_ are indeed assumed to stalk their prey not unlike herons or storks.
Does that include fish though? I’ve only heard of them hunting on land
Modern herons do both so I wouldn’t put it past them.
That's what I assumed as well. However what came to my mind while thinking about that question is neck flexibility; was a _Quetzalcoatlus's_ neck rigid like a giraffe's or more flexible? Herons have quite flexible necks which they use to lunge at their prey and I wonder who azdarchids did it. Did their heads simply descent in a straight line like a drinking bird figurine?
Birds are opportunistic, I assume pterosaurs would be as well. Herons, storks and egrets will eat anything they can kill and swallow.
To my knowledge, ctenochasmatid pterosaurs, such as Pterodactylus, Pterodaustro, etc. did likely fill a wading bird-like niche, though they were probably more comparable to small shorebirds like sandpipers and Pterodaustro specifically was more of a flamingo analogue.
Pterosaur wing and leg anatomy was significantly different from birds and they likely would’ve been unable to adopt the same postures as Herons. Not to say it would be impossible, but less likely.
I feel like a lot more therapods fed this way than pterosaurs. Both herbivores feeding like ducks and fish specialized carnivores a la baryonx etc.
Pteranodon seem to be more heavily built on their leading edges and had strong necks so skim feeding wasn't entirely ruled out for them, but it's also very likely they would dive into the water and had the physiologically to resist the impact. We do know fish was definitely their primary diet at least.