In the world of Great Blue Herons it’s the male that selects the nest site, protects it, and waits for a female to chose him as her mate. He can wait for a good while too.

This male is on a nest from last year, moving sticks around to keep busy.

FYI, the male gathers the materials once a female is there. The male is horrible at building them.

Also, the female is only a small step better. I don’t know how they ever raise chicks.