Hello! Today in Roanoke, VA it has been 90+ degrees and very humid. In the creek behind our house, we observed a great blue heron perched on a log lying across the water holding its wings out to the side and repeatedly blowing its cheeks or skin under the beak in and out. I have seen other birds holding their wings out to the side. But I have never seen the mouth/beak movements. Is this also a way for birds to cool themselves in the extreme heat? We wondered why the heron did not seek out shade. The heron was in the sunshine when behaving this way. Thanks to anyone who can answer my questions.
The Carolina wren has a wonderfully loud and beautiful song. We have several in our yard and I love to hear them sing. It's my favorite on the Wall of Birds.