The idea as expressed in the email below from Kevin Bartram suggesting that
this bird is a leucistic Pied Heron has also been voiced by others but more
in relation to the somewhat similar bird at Parry's Lagoon WA.. It is indeed
interesting that the plumage pattern of the bird resembles a faded or
washed-out version of that species and the yellow legs of the bird as they
appear in the photo I posted on Eremaea is an exact match for Pied Heron.
However, other bare-part colouration does not match. The bill is mainly dark
grey not yellow and the facial skin is yellow not black as would be in a
typical Pied Heron of any age. Moreover the legs aren't wholly yellow. Other
photos show that much of the front of the legs and upper surface of the toes
are dark with soles yellow as normal for Little Egret. Also the bird was
similar in size and in all other respects to a typical Little Egret that
accompanied it. So I still maintain that it is a Little Egret.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza VIC 3930
Tel (03) 9787 7136
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