Great Blue Herons have a strong ‘dislike’ for the Great Egrets. With good reason too. Both are top predators and neither can be trusted near the others young. Space and territory are important.
Nesting trees, good ones, are in short supply. Birds will eventually build almost right on top of each other. Which once again starts that territorial issue all over again.
I’ve been lucky recently to have shot several series of an ongoing argument in this cypress. By the end of the season there will be lots of fighting and most likely 3-4 Great Egret nests right under the Herons. The Heron chicks should be large enough to protect themselves when both adults are needed to go hunt. But that’s another completely different fight later in the year.
Most Egrets will stand their ground for a while, then fly off to a nearby branch. They fly back, setup for a nest, and repeat the argument again. Things can get dangerous, but ultimately the Heron slows down their attacks, the Egrets stay and nests are completed.
Click any image below to view the gallery. If using WP Reader select the icon top right to view a browser.
Good set of photos Ted!!
An ongoing disagreement. I have a few different series of these two. The Egret is slowly wearing them down though.
It does look pretty fierce, terrific photos!!
They do a lot of posturing, threats, and if that doesn’t work it can get bad. Instinctively they know it’s best not to get hurt.
Nice display and capture of animal behavior. Real estate is on the minds of all creatures.
Of yes. I was just in that swamp earlier today, more noise and arguments around the cypress trees.
Excellent!!
😄😄. Every year this spot is fast and furious LOL. I think last year I missed most of this.