Wood storks, great egrets, anhinga rear young in Port Richey rookery

The rookery, a small island of trees in the middle of a large retention pond, satisfies the nesting needs and provides protection from predation by raccoons and snakes for a large number of native and migratory shore birds, including wood storks which were upgraded by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from endangered to threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) in 2020, reflecting a highly successful conservation and recovery effort spanning three decades.

By

Douglas R. CliffordTimes staff

Published March 23, 2021

Juvenile wood storks pine for food from one of its parents on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at a rookery where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. The large, heavy-billed bird is the only native stork in North America and is often found wading in the shallows of southern swamps. Young wood storks have noisy begging calls, but adults are almost silent except for hissing and bill clappering, according to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitat. Audubon says Florida populations have declined as water management in the state has become a more difficult problem. — Juvenile wood storks pine for food from one of its parents on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at a rookery where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. The large, heavy-billed bird is the only native stork in North America and is often found wading in the shallows of southern swamps. Young wood storks have noisy begging calls, but adults are almost silent except for hissing and bill clappering, according to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitat. Audubon says Florida populations have declined as water management in the state has become a more difficult problem. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD

A great egret takes flight from a rookery, in background, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks and small groups of egrets and anhinga are breeding in Port Richey. — A great egret takes flight from a rookery, in background, on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks and small groups of egrets and anhinga are breeding in Port Richey. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD

A great egret preens its mating plumage as it is fluffed in the wind on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks and small groups of egrets and anhinga are breeding in Port Richey. — A great egret preens its mating plumage as it is fluffed in the wind on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks and small groups of egrets and anhinga are breeding in Port Richey. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD

A pair of juvenile great egrets emerge in their nest after napping in a rookery on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks and small groups of egrets and anhinga are breeding in Port Richey. — A pair of juvenile great egrets emerge in their nest after napping in a rookery on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks and small groups of egrets and anhinga are breeding in Port Richey. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD

A pair of wood storks argue over nesting territory on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at a rookery where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. The large, heavy-billed birds usually lay between 3-4 eggs which Incubate for 28-32 days. Once hatched the young are fed by both parents, according to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitat. — A pair of wood storks argue over nesting territory on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at a rookery where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. The large, heavy-billed birds usually lay between 3-4 eggs which Incubate for 28-32 days. Once hatched the young are fed by both parents, according to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitat. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD

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A juvenile wood stork shelters in its nest with one of its parents on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at a rookery where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. Baby wood storks are fed by both parents, and during first 5 weeks one parent usually guards young; unguarded nests may be attacked by unmated storks wandering through colony. Young may make short flights at about 8 weeks, but return to nest to be fed and to sleep until about 11 weeks old, according to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitat. — A juvenile wood stork shelters in its nest with one of its parents on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, at a rookery where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. Baby wood storks are fed by both parents, and during first 5 weeks one parent usually guards young; unguarded nests may be attacked by unmated storks wandering through colony. Young may make short flights at about 8 weeks, but return to nest to be fed and to sleep until about 11 weeks old, according to the National Audubon Society, a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to conservation of birds and their habitat. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD | Times

A alligator swims near a rookery on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. The rookery is a breeding ground for colony-forming birds, providing safe shelter and proximity to water and food. — A alligator swims near a rookery on Tuesday, March 23, 2021, where a colony of wood storks are breeding in Port Richey. The rookery is a breeding ground for colony-forming birds, providing safe shelter and proximity to water and food. DOUGLAS R. CLIFFORD

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Douglas R. Clifford
Photographer

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