The bill looks too long to my eye for Intermediate Egret, and I don't have a
problem with the greenish areas on legs and feet. I would be happy to call
it an Australian Little Egret. I have seen a number of birds like this and
when you get a closer view they generally show a degree of dark marking to
the upper surfaces of the toes. The nominate ssp generally has entire foot
including upper surface bright yellow not greenish yellow. Also I am yet to
see a photo of a non-breeding nominate ssp showing greenish-yellow leg
markings like the Australian birds but this doesn't mean it can't happen,
but I have seen photos with greenish-yellow feet.
Cheers Jeff.
-----Original Message-----
From:
On Behalf Of Mike Carter
Sent: Wednesday, 19 March 2008 8:11 PM
To: Mick Roderick; Birding Aus
Cc: Allan Richardson; Andrew Silcocks
Subject: Little Egret with yellow legs and feet
Like others, I too suggest its an Intermediate Egret. Partly yellow,
black-tipped bill may seem odd but we had an Intermediate just like that at
Edithvale in Victoria recently. I queried the ID when Andrew Silcocks
pointed it out to me but after study and discussion I agreed with his ID.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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