Although Vera has yet to lay her first egg, there’s no question that the breeding season is in full swing for Ares and Vera. Both Friday and Saturday brought a flurry of courtship activity—including food transfers, multiple matings, and ledge displays (some rather vigorous). One particularly lively display on Saturday stood out for its intensity, featuring prolonged bill swiping—or beaking. That moment, full of mutual engagement, indicated the growing bond between them.
On Friday, Vera once again surprised Ares by eagerly accepting and consuming another Woodcock. After twelve years of gifting this particular menu item to a reluctant partner, perhaps Ares now feels appreciated for his efforts. Woodcocks are relatively heavy birds and, although not difficult for him to procure, carrying them from the hunting grounds a mile away to the downtown canyon, must take considerable effort. Of course, over the past two days, Vera has been seen feeding on multiple prey items, all believed to have been provided by Ares.
While Vera fed on a high ledge at the DoubleTree Inn, we noticed something interesting: her cere—the fleshy area at the base of the bill—appeared distinctly two-toned. One side was bluer, the other more yellow. This meant that depending on how her head was turned, she could look more juvenile or more adult. This highlights how certain soft tissue features like cere and eye ring color mature earlier than plumage.
Vera has done a few short sittings in the nestbox over the past two days, but nothing yet suggests that egg-laying is imminent. Still, with Vera, unpredictability is part of the package—and there’s always the chance she’ll surprise us. For now, the pair remains highly active and committed, continuing to build their partnership as the season progresses.
