Tag Archives: Bird Behavior

Water Birds

Anhinga Dispute

March 24, 2026 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

I passed by one Anhinga perched in a Mangrove as I was looking for ducks.

Then I heard a splash.

I did not see where the second Anhinga came from–he might have been swimming by.

I don’t recall hearing any noises from the birds, but they sure moved a lot of water.

At one point they were both underwater, emerging with their necks entwined.

Their full wing spans, typically 40 inches / 109 cm, were on display.

In less than 30 seconds it was over, at least for a drying off period.

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 25, 2026

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Leapfrog

September 5, 2025 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Sometimes birds just make me laugh.

Usually it is the Snowy Egrets with comical behavior but this time a Roseate Spoonbill was feeding away from the bigger group and seemed to have something to say.

Then he took a short-hop flight over the Snowy Egret.

Landed with more drama…

…then took a walk.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025

Perching Birds

Boat-tailed Grackle Looking For A Snack

March 23, 2025 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

It’s not a stretch to think there were all sorts of treasures hidden in the vegetation on this rotting log floating just off the boardwalk at Orlando Wetlands.

The Boat-tailed Grackle pulled …

and yanked…

…and dragged whatever he could latch onto.

However, he didn’t appear to find anything good.

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025

Water Birds

Limpkin, Portrait Session

March 7, 2025 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

Normally quite shy and seen only as a glimpse in tall marsh grass, this Limpkin stood on the boardwalk railing while several people passed him.

He did a bit of grooming…

then a nice pose.

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025

Duck

Mottled Duck Pair Landing, Part 2

February 27, 2025 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

After watching the Mottled Duck pair land I was surprised to see there was a third duck approaching.

Mottled Duck Kerfuffle — Mottled Duck number three, passing the Spoonbill

I didn’t hear him land so am not sure where he came from.

He quickly paddled over to the pair where he was not welcomed.

The situation got tense!

Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
February 10 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Set-to, More

February 21, 2025 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

More of the SET-TO a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate, per our friends at Merriam Webster

The bill clacking/snapping was how I first noticed there was something going on here.

There was a lot of wing flapping, too.

I didn’t even notice that the female stuck her beak in at one point.

And then it was over, the other fellow retreated to his chosen nest spot and this one started poking at the fronds and his spot again.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 12, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Set-to

February 20, 2025 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

SET-TO a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate, per our friends at Merriam Webster

This was brief, and most definitely vigorous, and I’d say no clear winner but it was interesting to watch.

One Spoonbill and its mate were working on a nesting spot in the upper left of this palm tree. Presumably the female of that pair stayed out of this, off stage to the left.

The other Spoonbill was on his own, trying to get a nest started on the right side of the tree. Plenty of room for everyone, until there wasn’t.

The noises they were making caught my attention as I was going down the boardwalk.

No wonder they were squawking!

I wouldn’t have been surprised to see blood flying.

This went on for over 3 minutes, and at this point I couldn’t tell which bird was which.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 12, 2025

Wading Birds

Great Blue Heron, Defending Something

January 28, 2025 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

I didn’t see what this Great Blue Heron was chasing off, if anything. He swooped in from the pond to the left and made some menacing moves to the right.