Courtship behaviors generally occur in specific stages. They give observers clues about the bird's sex and what stage they are at in the breeding season.

Unpaired males do Snap and Stretch displays (general advertisements), along with Supplanting, Arched and Upright Neck (aggressive behaviors).When a potential mate arrives, the displays change to Wing Preen, Bill Clappering and Strech. The initial paired stage includes Bill Duels and more Bill Clappering. Once the pair-bond is established, greeting ceremonies occur such as Landing Call, Stretch and Bill Clappering. These greeting ceremonies continue through incubation and parental stages.

Thanks to Phil Green and the Audubon Canyon Ranch for the information

Behavior	Description	Significance
Arched Neck	Erect neck feathers and head plumes, curves neck with bill downwards.	Usually used by moving heron as a threat display.
Bill Clappering	Rapid chattering of the bill with or without contact with other bird	Maintains close, unaggresive contact with mate.
Bill Duels	By newly paired birds, male stabs at relatively submissive female. Eventually decreases intensity as tolerance develops. Female may hold male bill.	Strengthens pair-bond.
Circle Flight	Flies in large circle with neck extended, returning to original perch.	Used in identification and appeasement.
Crest Raising	Erects head plumes.	Common threat display.
Forward	Lifts wings, retracts head and rocks forwad, stabbing toward another bird. Rapid tail-flicking in egrets.	Antagonistic or territorial display, sometimes used by young chicks in the nest.
Greeting Ceremonies	General term for behaviors when bird returns to nest and mate. May inlude Landing Call, Stretch and Bill Clappering.	Recognition, strengthens pair bond.
Landing Calls	Given when landing on nest, as part of Greeting Ceremony.	Recognition, pair bonding
Snap	Moves head forwards and down, neck extended, then snaps bill shut, usually with legs bent. May be done in conjuction with Strech.	Typical display used in different contexts, usually not directed to anyone; General advertisement
Supplanting	Aerial display; flies at other perched bird and lands on its vacated perch.	Aggressive display, may end in flight.
Strech	Lifts head and closed bill to vertical (GBH may howl at peak). The head is brought down with lateral swaying and bent legs.	Typical courtship display accentuates plumes; often as part of greeting ceremony.
Twig Shake	Slowly extends neck, grasps twing with bill and shakes. Resembles nest building behavior.	General advertisement.
Upright Neck	Bill up, neck extended.	Antagonistic or threat display.
Wing Preen	Moves bill along primaries as if preening, but does not touch feathers. Orients towards mate.	Pair-bonding, unaggressive close contact.

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