birding-aus

FW: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification = Yellow Bittern

To: "David Stowe" <>
Subject: FW: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification = Yellow Bittern
From: "Mike Carter" <>
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 15:55:23 +1100
Hi David, It is because it is now clear that the streaks on the back are a real plumage feature whereas before I thought they may have been highlights produced by reflected sunlight combined with shadows of feathers raised by wind Alternatively, photographic artefact due to the low quality image, low pixel count - poor definition. Striated Herons are plain on the back, i.e. they lack those stripes/streaks. The diagonal dark line across the face through the eye is a diagnostic character of Yellow Bittern and shows better in this image. Misleading is that it is suitable habitat for Striated Heron but a bizarre place for a Yellow Bittern. Perhaps it had just flown in.

Mike Carter
30 Canadian Bay Road
Mount Eliza  VIC 3930
Tel  (03) 9787 7136




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