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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

is this a great egret in Key Largo, FL? (1 Viewer)

Eye and Bill remind me of Western Reef Heron but do not know if found in Florida maybe juve Great White Egret on leg colour
 
It is a white morph Great Blue Heron, once considered a separate species (the "Great White Heron"). It is reasonably common in the Florida Keys.

Carlos
 
What are some good marks to know this? Not that I'll be down in Florida anytime soon but just incase I ever go ;)

Hi Matt. Snowy Egrets have a black bill and black legs. The light bill and legs of the subject bird eliminate that species from contention. Great Egrets have a yellow bill and black legs. The light legs eliminate it. Cattle Egret would have a much smaller bill and shorter legs. Juvenile Little Blue Heron or white morph Reddish Egret would not have a yellow bill or yellow on the legs.

So that leaves white morph Great Blue Heron (fka Great White Heron) as the main possibility. And everything fits for it. Note the heavy bill with greenish upper mandible, thick legs, and the isolated head plumes on the rear of the head characteristic of Great Blue Heron.

Best,
Jim
 
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That was a great explanation by Jim. Two things I would add are that Snowy Egrets have yellow feet and that white morphs of GBHs are common in the Keys. I should have included more information and explanation in my post.
 
Hi Matt. Snowy Egrets have a black bill and black legs. The light bill and legs of the subject bird eliminate that species from contention. Great Egrets have a yellow bill and black legs. The light legs eliminate it. Cattle Egret would have a much smaller bill and shorter legs. Juvenile Little Blue Heron or white morph Reddish Egret would not have a yellow bill or yellow on the legs.

So that leaves white morph Great Blue Heron (fka Great White Heron) as the main possibility. And everything fits for it. Note the heavy bill with greenish upper mandible, thick legs, and the isolated head plumes on the rear of the head characteristic of Great Blue Heron.

Best,
Jim

Jim, I copied much of this into the Opus entry, hope you dont mind!

Niels
 
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