The eucalyptus trees at Baylands Nature Preserve in Palo Alto are full of BCNH and egret nests. Unfortunately, the heron nests are very poorly made and afford little protection for the chicks against the gulls and crows.
I was taking flight photos of herons coming in to the nests with twigs, when this fellow fell out of his nest about 25 feet above me, trying to fend off a crow.
KLUNK. Right on top of my head. It was kind of funny, except for the bird poop...
Thank God for hats..
I don't think he was hurt - squawking very loudly when I moved him. I think my hat and hair were a softer landinbg than the hard ground. The blood is probably from the altercation with the crow.
I put him on the ground briefly for a couple photos, then took him off to the Ranger. Left alone, he surely would have been killed by gulls or crows within minutes. The Ranger said they take 5-10 fallen baby herons every day to the local Wildlife Rescue, and had a lot of donated pet carriers ready.
I have no idea how old herons are when they start to get pinfeathers, but he was surprisingly heavy for his size - belly about as big as a grapefruit (and open mouth the same size)
Funny-looking little critters! And interesting that the chick's eyes are yellow and the adults become bright red.
Sandy
Posted by Steve Canuel on May 15, 2011 at 11:11 PM
Glad to hear you were there to provide a nice, soft landing for him And he's lucky you were there to take him to to the shelter.
Discussion
2 repliesI was taking flight photos of herons coming in to the nests with twigs, when this fellow fell out of his nest about 25 feet above me, trying to fend off a crow.
KLUNK. Right on top of my head. It was kind of funny, except for the bird poop...
Thank God for hats..
I don't think he was hurt - squawking very loudly when I moved him. I think my hat and hair were a softer landinbg than the hard ground. The blood is probably from the altercation with the crow.
I put him on the ground briefly for a couple photos, then took him off to the Ranger. Left alone, he surely would have been killed by gulls or crows within minutes. The Ranger said they take 5-10 fallen baby herons every day to the local Wildlife Rescue, and had a lot of donated pet carriers ready.
I have no idea how old herons are when they start to get pinfeathers, but he was surprisingly heavy for his size - belly about as big as a grapefruit (and open mouth the same size)
Funny-looking little critters! And interesting that the chick's eyes are yellow and the adults become bright red.
Sandy