Fw: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification

["Mike Carter" <>]

I also thought Striated Heron on my first glance and that is still my 
opinion so I agree with David. I reckon that a Yellow Bittern with such well 
marked stripes on the neck would be too young to show a black crown like 
that. I was with others on Christmas Island in January and we saw a Striated 
Heron near that spot, at the Cove at the Resort. However, at the start of 
the track to the Blowholes we also flushed a small bittern-type bird and 
secured very poor flight photos. We were very puzzled as to its ID so 
followed it but after a second flight didn't see it again. It was a dark 
bird and I was hoping it might be a Schrenck's Bittern but in the end 
decided from the photos that it was most likely another Striated Heron.
Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136