An American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos) dukes it out with much smaller red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus). These little blackbirds are territorial and very aggressive when other birds invade their space. Besides crows like this, I've seen them go after ospreys and hawks. D'oh!

Tags:   alexandria virginia dyke marsh wildlife habitat national park service nature birds red-winged blackbird Agelaius phoeniceus american crow Corvus brachyrhynchos dcist silhouette

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Great blue heron (Ardea herodias), flying low off the Potomac River.

Tags:   alexandria virginia dyke marsh wildlife habitat potomac river birds nature great blue heron Ardea herodias water dcist silhouette national park service

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The camera focuses on the more distant motorboat as a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) takes off from a pylon.

Tags:   alexandria virginia dyke marsh wildlife habitat potomac river birds nature great blue heron Ardea herodias water boat motorboat silhouette dcist national park service

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Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) picking up some floating seaweed from the Potomac River to line the nest.

Tags:   alexandria virginia dyke marsh wildlife habitat potomac river birds nature osprey Pandion haliaetus water seaweed nest national park service

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Low-flying osprey (Pandion haliaetus) at Dyke Marsh in Alexandria, Virginia.

Tags:   alexandria virginia dyke marsh wildlife habitat potomac river birds nature osprey Pandion haliaetus bird of prey dcist national park service raptor

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