Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[BY Bob]

Happy Friday

 

[BY Bob]

I have no clue but it is a big possibility. I've never really thought much about them other then they were pretty when they visit. If something is getting their young it has to be when they leave the nest. If they go in the swamp they are very much likely to run into bobcats and coyotes.

You have to assume they are trying. Where do they nest?

 

[RebeccaBoyd]

You have to assume they are trying. Where do they nest?

I have never spotted their nest and I have looked for it as much time as I've spent in the hills and swamp over the years. They are not frequent visitors in the winter months, I may see one of them every few weeks. Starting in the spring and through summer I see at least one of them walking the creek almost every morning. Sometimes you will catch both of them flying overhead together or both of them in the same tree.

 

[ValarieF]

Thank you. I wonder how long these guys live for. We have a nesting pair of them. If it has been the same pair all these years they have been visiting my backyard going on 14 years now. Twice in all that time they had a single young adult with them.

approximately 15 years

Although they may have several eggs, the parents usually only raise one or two young; the others starve after hatching. The young fledge after about 60 days. Great blue herons usually live for approximately 15 years.

 

[rural mouse]

I went to grab a cup of coffee and saw that my visitor was out back again this morning. All my bird experts on here, does anyone know what type of crane he actually is?

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Looks kinda like a juvenile/not spring brown Sandhill crane

 

[rural mouse]

Great Blue Heron!

It's missing the fancy feathers, so is it a female or a juvie?

 

[ValarieF]

I have no clue but it is a big possibility. I've never really thought much about them other then they were pretty when they visit. If something is getting their young it has to be when they leave the nest. If they go in the swamp they are very much likely to run into bobcats and coyotes.

No they only have 1 to 2 young their entire lives which is avg of 15yrs

 

[ValarieF]

Took some dayquil. Fed the chooks some warm mash and let them out. Got the youngsters some warm mash too. Just gonna stay in bed all day. Went out yesterday and got my nails done now I'm sick.

 

[rural mouse]

Thank you. I wonder how long these guys live for. We have a nesting pair of them. If it has been the same pair all these years they have been visiting my backyard going on 14 years now. Twice in all that time they had a single young adult with them.

Easiest way to tell: when it flies, does it stretch its head out like a goose does or does it tuck the head in close? Stretched out is the crane. In close is the heron.

 

[Ponypoor]

Parry Sound

Very snowy with squalls but sunny here. Not making very good time...

On the upside mum said I got two eggs - that would be Fluffy and Marty