St. John Scarlet Ibis Said Goodbye Again to Snowy Egret Friend

It’s March and once again the snowy egret has left the wetland area near my house in Fish Bay on St. John. I believe this same bird was friendly with the scarlet ibis last year and returned for the winter so they could hang out together again. Particularly the ibis.  

It is difficult not to project some kind of romantic story on these two, given how closely they stick together during their time together. And how unhappy they both look when the snowy egret is getting ready to leave.

   

I assume the snowy egret is leaving because it is time to breed, and that means going somewhere else to find a mate, as there is no snowy partner available in this pond. Since this snowy egret seems to be migratory, it would probably fly over towards the east coast of the US. Or possibly just to another island not so far away. I have read that some snowy egrets breed in this area, but I am not sure where. 

 

Of course the scarlet ibis could also fly over to Necker Island in the BVIs to look for a suitable partner from the flock there. But possibly that flock is too big now and there isn’t enough food to support a larger group. 

 

Since the snowy egret left, the scarlet ibis seems to be seeking out other companions. Sadly, an early morning visit with the yellow-crowned night heron did not go very well. The ibis dropped down too close and angered the normally placid night heron, which was probably getting ready to go to sleep after a hard night catching land crabs.  

 

Ruffled up feathers quickly led to threatening behavior from the night heron. After that, the scarlet ibis avoided another confrontation by sneaking behind the night heron to get to the other side of the pond.  

 

A little blue heron did let the scarlet ibis tag along at a short distance behind, ­­­­­I don’t think they will become pals. 

 While I am delighted to have the scarlet ibis hanging out nearby, I do feel this bird is a bit sad. But maybe I am just projecting.