An Unexpected Visitor

According to Dr. Thomas W. Sherry, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at Tulane University, this "bird is one that we don't see very often, because it is almost ALWAYS (but not quite always, evidently!) in a marsh, where it is quite secretive and stalks frogs, fish, and bugs through the reeds. It is a Least Bittern, which can move easily through the thick, grassy vegetation of its typical habitat because it's pretty thin-bodied. The bitterns are related to the other wading birds, such as herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, etc. It might be breeding nearby (are you near a marsh or other wetland? I would guess you are), and thus you caught it in the act of stalking some bugs, preening, or whatever." When he was informed that the bird was observed in Uptown New Orleans on Broadway between Sycamore and Panola, Dr. Sherry commented, "Wow...this bird is LOST. I am really astounded it was where you describe it, because as you say it's far from water. Green herons are common in Audubon Park Lagoon, and probably along the Mississippi (your closest water is probably the Batture along Mississippi, near Riverbend area. Great sighting of a bird that is very rarely seen, and your observation that it was in a strange posture is on the mark. I nominate you for the Davy Crockett award of the month!"

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• Least Bittern
• Dr. Thomas W. Sherry
• New Orleans
• wading birds
• Uptown

[mnaicck]

The avian version of "The Thinker"

[donlesn]

The symbolism in Videolongeaux's productions always leaves me speechless.

Thanks patchbus!