Now what turned into some beak clacking.
Size isn’t everything, but sometimes it helps.
Finally the Tricolored Heron made a full body move…
…pushing the Snowy Egret off his perch.
The Tricolored Heron got tangled up in the palm fronds for a few seconds, but not apparent damage.
Territorial Dispute: Snowy Egret vs Tricolored Heron, Part 1
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
Get back!
No, you get back!
We’re both back, now what?
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, FL
April 13, 2022
There is no etiquette amongst the wading birds.
Birds just drop in on each other, no announcement necessary.
You were busy fishing, I’ll share your spot.
Maybe just hop a bit further on.
I don’t know if they actually touched, but it sure was close.
The Reddish Egret never kept to his path and the Ibis did keep moving. Once the Ibis touched down he didn’t look as big as with his wings out.
According to Cornell’s All About Birds, the Glossy Ibis at 19-26 inches(48-66 cm) in length is slightly smaller than the Reddish Egret at 28-31 inches (70-80 cm).
Black Point Wildlife Drive
Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
April 12, 2022
My, what a long beak you have!
Moving along slowly, looking for lunch.
April 10, 2022
The arrival of Roseate Spoonbill got my attention  ahead of us in a small pool at the edge of the wildlife drive. Fortunately another came along behind him.
This Spoonbill circled the pond then dropped right in to join the feeding.
The Spoonbill landed at the edge, where Snowy Egrets, Great Egrets and a Tricolored Heron were lined up.
Some of the birds were feeding at the edges, and others were dancing across the water
The Tricolored Heron made a run across the water.
The Spoonbill immediately started feeding with the tried and true water sifting method.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, FL
January 31, 2022
A solitary Tricolored Heron was patrolling the edges of a marsh, the grass behind him heavy with dew.
He made some passes in the water
and some on land.
Hanging on tight!
Being watched from the water…
Middleton Place, Charleston, SC
September 2, 2021
