Hi birding-aussers,
I seem to recall a discussion about Little Egrets in Australia recently.
Ruth and I were at the Western Treatment Plant in Victoria today and
encountered many Little Egrets (more than either of us ever recall seeing
there). In one pond at the T-Section Lagoons we found three Little Egrets -
two were the "normal" ones that we see with black bill, black legs and black
feet. The other one had a blackish bill with black legs and yellow feet. The
yellow-footed egret was being hassled by the black-footed ones and on
several occasions they'd fly off chasing each other before returning to the
pond.
If I am not mistaken, the yellow-footed Little Egret is the Asian nominate
race, Egretta garzetta garzetta - whereas the black-footed Little Egret is
the Australian race, Egretta garzetta immaculata or Egretta garzetta
nigripes.
Am I correct? How common is the nominate race in Australia? How common is
the nominate race in Victoria, and at the Western Treatment Plant?
Thanks!
Paul Dodd
Docklands, Victoria
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