Editorial photo #13160143 Human Interest

Wildlife Birds Mating And Aggression Display

A great blue heron in breeding plumage performs a mating display ritual at Wakodahatchee Wetlands in Delray Beach, Florida, on January 5, 2026. Males arrive first to select nest sites, stretch their necks upward, and clapper their bills to court females during the noisy colonial breeding season. Once paired, they share the incubation of two to six pale blue eggs in platform nests built high in trees over water. (Photo by Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto)

Photo details

Photo ID: #13160143
Date taken: 5 January 2026
Location: —
Photographer: Ronen Tivony/NurPhoto
Category: Human Interest

Related keywords

No People great blue heron breeding plumage mating display courtship ritual Wakodahatchee Wetlands Delray Beach Florida heron nesting colonies bill clappering neck stretch display Florida wading birds heron rookery colonial breeding platform nests pale blue eggs wetland wildlife photography bird mating behavior great blue heron facts Florida birdwatching heron courtship nature animals Delray Beach Florida January 5 2026 males nest sites stretching necks clappering bills courtship colonial breeding season paired incubation high trees over water Ronen Tivony NurPhoto wetlands noisy colonial breeding ritual nesting females select arrive first share incubation two to six eggs court females