For several years, a leafy street in our urban neighborhood has hosted nesting pairs of Yellow-crowned Night Herons. It’s an unlikely location, given herons’ preference to nest near streams and wetlands. Perhaps the block-long archway of tall sycamore trees mimics a stream bed.
This year, the herons have returned. For weeks, a few males perched near the remnants of old nests and displayed for territory. When a female showed up, the males’ territorial and courtship displays ramped up. See photos below.
Well, that got her attention.
For the next few days, the pair worked on rebuilding the nest, an important part of pair-bonding. The male brought sticks from nearby sycamores and spruces. They both worked on improving the nest.
The signs were good that the pair would mate and they did.
If all goes well, eggs and nestlings will follow. It will be fun to watch.
Elev. 401 