Are we actually seeing a streaks on the back though? Or is the bird in a pose
where it is lifting its wings slightly (in hunting mode) and the breeze has
caught some feathers, lifting them at an angle making us think it has streaking
on the back? The image is of such poor quality that we could argue for this and
that. I agree with Nikolas that some more info would be very helpful. So far,
we can see features that fit more than one species, but the habitat and the
text on the website ('feeding on the shoreline for small crustaceans') is
suggestive of Striated Heron. It just doesn't 'feel' like an Ixobrychus bittern
to me.
Interestingly, they have an image of a Cinnamon Bittern on the same website
that was taken into care (see link under the 'unknown birdy' text). A Cinnamon
Bittern was also photographed at The Dales in mid December.
Mick
On Wednesday, 26 February 2014 4:10 PM, Mike Carter <>
wrote:
Quite true, the streaks on the back would be very odd for a Striated Heron
but such an extensive black cap would be very odd for a Yellow Bittern as
would the habitat for a foraging bird. The green legs would be a better fit
for Striated Heron as Yellow Bittern normally would have yellow legs. This
is a hard one.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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