Tag Archives: King Of The Hill

Roseate Spoonbill Finding His Spot

November 4, 2022 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I hoped to see the sun rise this morning, a nice late 7:40 am. Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday and we go back to having to get up at O’dark thirty to get out anywhere to see that spectacle.

Instead an odd high fog kept the sun hidden until after 10:30. In the meantime, there were plenty of birds flying around, including a few Roseate Spoonbills that seemed to be at odds about where to land.

This one finally chose the already occupied frame of an old duck blind.

Nailed the landing.

Roseate Spoonbill Landing Next To Snowy Egret

The Snowy Egret pretended not to notice.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 11, 2022

Wading Birds

King of the Hill: Roseate Spoonbill

July 11, 2022 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

The Roseate Spoonbill from my previous post hopped up on a small snag as the Tricolored Heron moved on. Being king of the hill or the first to occupy any object sticking out of the water seems to be a common Spoonbill behavior.

It was something of a balancing act as the upturned roots didn’t provide a perch that looked suitable for those feet.

He soon thought better of the idea and jumped down…

…making an easy water landing.

Black Point Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022

Landscape, Wading Birds

Great Egret, King of the Hill

August 16, 2021 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

This Great Egret staked his claim on the highest available point to survey the pond. As the only bird in sight that morning he likely kept it as long as he wanted, rather than the more common kerfuffle to maintain possession.

Mary’s House Pond, Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 4, 2021

Wading Birds

Ibis Notes

October 27, 2019 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

Reminding me of musical notes on a staff these White Ibis were writing a song in a dead tree.

However, they weren’t all carrying the same tune, and seemed to covet each others’ spots.

Being “king of the hill” is a popular bird theme.

Pushing right to the limit, this fellow held a long note.

I circled around to get better light and most of the Ibis had moved on to another song.

Wading Birds

King of the Hill

July 24, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I try not to anthropomorphize the wildlife I see but there often are similarities in the behavior, if not the intention, to human activity. These Roseate Spoonbills did their version of King of the Hill for at least an hour, with no obvious winner.

In addition to wanting to be top bird, some of them also wanted to dismantle the “hill,” removing twigs from the main branch, eventually dropping them.