The majestic great white heron is unique to south Florida and the Florida Keys. Nesting occurs throughout the year, with a pronounced peak between November and February. Nesting habitat is primarily on mangrove islands within Great White Heron National Wildlife Refuge and Key West National Wildlife Refuge. Birds forage on large, continuous turtle grass beds during a limited fraction of the tidal cycle. Destruction of seagrass beds by boating impacts can directly limit the availability and quality of forage habitat for these birds. this one (I believe a female) is mated to the common Blue Heron that is at the gardens. Both cannot fly due to wing injuries. they have taken to one another and hang out all the time in the pond.