living statuary and a surprising songster

The tide was low yesterday evening and there was a Yellow-crowned Night-Heron standing, still as a statue, on the mud at the edge of the pond. What a striking bird with its heavy bill, orangey eye, black-and-white striped head, gray body and shortish nuptial plumes. When I looked away for a moment and then turned back, it was standing on a little island of mud near the middle of the pond. as motionless as ever; I never saw it move at all. This morning, it (or another Yellow-crowned Night-Heron) was perched on one of the stanchions of the dock next door just beyond the mouth of the pond. Still as a stature; still motionless. By the time I had come around on the trails to the foot of the dock, it was gone.

A small mixed flock of Titmice and Chickadees working its way through the Pitch Pines also included a Pine Warbler, the first I've seen since the early spring. This rather drab bird had traces of yellow at the sides of the breast but otherwise gave the appearance of a young bird, possibly a young of the year.

For the second or third time in the past few days, I've heard a Carolina Wren singing a potpourri of calls, changing its tune every few bars as if trying out a series of different songs. There are other Carolinas around singing their typically stereotyped song full out. So the question arises as to who these fancy songsters might be. Are they young birds just learning how to sing and trying out the various possibilities. Or are they unmated birds looking to attract some unattached female by showing their versatility and virtuosity? I had a glimpse of this morning's singer and he (I assume it was a 'he') looked like an adult. It's curious that this bird -- which, week in and week out, sings a simple, single, loud, repetitive song -- has the ability to sing a big variety of tunes but seems to indulge in this talent only in the off-season! Could Carolina Wrens, being all-year-round residents, indulge in some of their mating and courtship behavior in the summer and fall?

Eric Salzman