Over a month ago I saw from our window a Yellow-crowned Night Heron glide above the pond. So when I approached the nest sight, a place I've observed and documented for 5 years, I was not surprised to see a pair. Their nest was already in progress (March 13, 2023; 7:35 am, ET).
Courtship takes a week or two. They will be near the nest until they finish raising their brood. When is that? July.
These birds are shy. That we get to observe their process of continuing their species is a gift.
I looked up at the moment of mating. Prior to this moment, they likely spent an hour or more preening. This pair will spend a couple of weeks mating and nest-building. The laying of eggs might have week-long intervals. Hence, a difference in chick-hatching times.
The process goes like this. She sits low in the nest. He steps onto her back.
Using his wings, he balances. Here is a post from 3 years ago showing the mating, preening, touching beaks, and back-caressing gestures of courting.
The actual mating, a precise touch, lasts 3 - 5 seconds. Then he immediately hops off to get another twig for their nest.
He flies over and climbs up to give her the twig. She weaves, he watching her for a minute or so, and then turns to fly off to find another one. This photo shows the deeper mustard color on her crown. This is a distinguishing factor between the sexes.
