Hello All
Along with English birder Wendy Black I've just spotted a couple of weird
looking herons at Leanyer Sewage Pond, Darwin. They were a little larger
than the Pied Herons with which they were standing. Back and wings were
dark grey except for a prominent white shoulder patch. It was obvious
both at rest and when they flew. At first glance I thought they were
White-necked Herons, until I saw how small they were. The forehead was
white, with a dark cap and nape. Beak was yellowish and eyes were
light-coloured. Legs were dark; the tarsus lighter with a yellowish or
grey-green tinge. All I can think of is that they are hybrids between
White-necked Heron and Pied.
A few years ago Hilary Thompson and I spotted strange Pied Herons at the
sewage pond (I'd have to look up the description but I do remember they
had rufous plumes) and concluded they must were probably hybrids but that
time between White-faced and Pied.
Denise Goodfellow
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