Battle of the Show-Stoppers

As you saw in our previous post, we started off our day of birding at the Savannah Wildlife Refuge on a good foot. And the day got even better. On any other birding trip, we would have been happy to have just one of the awesome encounters we had that day. 

Part of the reason we came by the wildlife refuge on this day was to find a group of Black-bellied Whistling Ducks that were recently reported there. It seems as those these ducks have started moving more northward to breed as numbers in Florida have been increasing. These are some of the cutest ducks, too. They not only look adorable with their big eyes and bright coral-orange bills, but they make the cutest whistling sound.

We first saw a few pairs flying by, then we hit the mother load when we stumbled upon a big group in a pond along the drive. And then we learned not to be fooled by their cuteness. I've heard of cock fights, and I've seen some human chicken fights, but we had never seen a duck fight!

As we watched these ducks, we soon saw that this pond may not be big enough for everyone. One group of ducks started whistling defensively at another group (see the 2nd photo in this post). And then, what I assume to be two males, started going at it! Now THESE guys put on quite a show, but one of aggression. This battle lasted only a few minutes, yet it was epic as these two ducks flapped wildly and attacked each other, sometimes going several feet above the water. Eventually the males parted ways as one group moved over a more reasonable distance away from the other group. 

As we moved along the wildlife drive, we got a little break from all the excitement as we came across a reedy edge of a pond with some more mellow birds. In one area, we saw two Red-Winged Blackbird fledglings who were flitting about on the reeds awaiting their parents to bring breakfast. And then down a little ways, we saw some birds that were so mellow, in fact, that I could almost hear Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get it On." We had stumbled upon two Purple Gallinules who were displaying some intimate courtship behaviors. I didn't get any pictures of the ordeal, but there was some interesting postures and preening going on. Our friend who was birding with us that day later found this article that discusses and illustrates the exact behaviors we saw.

And just as the rain started to sprinkle down, we got one final hurrah out of this birding trip. As a large raptor came zooming towards us followed by a small bird chasing after it, I yelled out, "Swallowed-tailed Kite! Swallow-tailed Kite!" Here came this large, gorgeous bird swooping right over our heads as it was being run off by a small blackbird that didn't like the looks of it being close by to its nesting area.

This is probably the most gorgeous raptor, or even bird, we've ever seen. This wasn't our first sighting, but definitely our best. There is no way anyone cannot be taken aback by this breathtaking bird with its elegant, white body, long black and white wings, and of course, that amazing forked tail. This kite, even when being chased, flys with such grace and poise. I only wish the lighting had been better, but then I may not have gotten that final eerily beautiful silhouette shot.