a threat display

I thought the change in weather might bring in some migrants but I couldn't go out early this morning and when I did finally do an abbreviated circuit mid-morning, there was not much around. I did catch up to a feeding flock but, except for a single Parula, I could only see and hear the regular locals (chickadees, titmice, woodpeckers, etc.). There was a Monarch flitting over the pond, always a good find these days.

But the highlight of the morning was a face-off between two Great Blue Herons on the far shore of Weesuck Creek. Heron #1 came flying in a short distance away from Heron #2 who was working the shoreline. The two herons literally faced off with spread wings and tilted heads so that their fearsome beaks were pointed almost straight up in the air. Heron #1, seemingly the aggressor, kept advancing towards the other bird, always in what seemed like an extreme threat mode and it looked like a Great Blue battle was about to commence. Heron #2 showed a somewhat weaker response but staunchly stood his or her ground and before the two could engage, Heron #1 suddenly turned around, refolded his giant wings and marched off in the other direction.

I'd never seen this before but I'm sure it was a stay-out-of-my-turf threat display and pretty impressive from a bird as big as a Great Blue. I have no idea what caused the aggressor to turn away but I suppose, like many such displays, it was more bluff than a real threat.

Eric Salzman