July Bird Watching Enjoyment in the Dry Tortugas
Well, it has been another great week of birdwatching in the Dry Tortugas. July is bringing in more sunshine and more birds. It is certainly the best time to be a birder out here in the Tortugas.
The Dry Tortugas' Favorite Bird Sighting
This week, our favorite bird sighting is the Juvenile Blue Heron. Interestingly, it is actually white until into its second year, at which time it acquires full adult plumage. At this point, the juvenile is clad in feathers of a rich slatey-blue which is offset by a deep maroon neck and head feathering. Our birdwatchers spotted several of these beautiful birds. A couple of times these juveniles were mistaken as egrets, as they closely resemble the Snowy Egret. These are the only herons that are truly difficult to distinguish from the Snowy Egret. The Juvenile Blue Heron is a very patient stalker and walks with an awkwardly-stretched neck while pointing its bill downward at the water. Their particular posture is most distinctive. Another distinguishing feature is the juvenile's solitary preference in weedy and grassy shallow waters. While the Snowy Egret can be seen foraging in numbers in the more open waters, the Juvenile Blue Heron is satisfied working quietly on the grassy edges of a pond.
The juvenile averagely measures at about 24 inches in length with a 40-inch wingspan, weighing in at a solid 12 ounces. The young heron's bill is pale green blue at the base with a black tip. Its iris is yellow to white and lores a pale cobalt. The tips of its white flight feathers are dusky, and feet and legs are green yellow to light grey. Whether cruising the coastline with slow wingbeats or poised at a river bend, the Blue Heron is quite the majestic sight. As slowly as they move, this guy can strike like lightning to snap up a gopher or grab a fish.
One of our birders stumbled onto a Juvenile Blue Heron wading silently among some lily pads. While observing it, the heron found a small fish. It had to repeatedly drop and pick the fish back up again to get it correctly positioned for swallowing. Staying as quietly as possible, our birder was able to take a couple of photo shoots of the heron.
It is obvious that juvenile birds like these herons have not yet learned to be as fearful of humans as their parents are. Except for photographic purposes and just plain viewing, it would be best if these little ones eventually learn to avoid human contact and thereby increase their chances of survival.
The week has been truly amazing. You just might want to come out and join us for some extraordinary bird watching for the rest of July. It is proving to be quite the go-to event.