Little egrets (1 Viewer)

[CWOBrien]

Hi everyone,

Just curious about this behaviour I witnessed from a brace of little egrets a few days ago.

They landed next to each other, and started marching towards each other with necks extended and heads tilted up(see photo) before one of them flew off squawking. Were they challenging each other over fishing rights? It couldn't be a mating display in September surely?

Any help with this would be great.

Thanks,
C

 

[George Hogg]

The posture you describe is part of courtship ritual in Little Egret
http://www.oiseaux-birds.com/card-little-egret.html
Many bird species continue pair bonding outwith nesting season.
Little Egret may be one.