Great Blue vs Grey Heron in a presumably immature bird; Barbados this weekend (1 Viewer)

[njlarsen]

Another conundrum probably more likely here than most other places. Great Blue is an uncommon to rare bird here, while Grey heron has been reported this winter. Looking around, I saw descriptions saying that the bend of the wing should be white on Grey Heron - but what then about this bird from Spain: Media Search - eBird and Macaulay Library


My searching was started by a bird I saw this weekend which was skittish, so I only got image while it was flying away. In the scope before it took off, thighs were at best buffy. I still believes it likely was a Great Blue, but I would like some pointers to what should make me sure? Compare for example the image linked to above with the first image below where the landing lights at the front of the wing mostly are white.

thanks
Niels

 

[RafaelMatias]

Another conundrum probably more likely here than most other places. Great Blue is an uncommon to rare bird here, while Grey heron has been reported this winter. Looking around, I saw descriptions saying that the bend of the wing should be white on Grey Heron - but what then about this bird from Spain: Media Search - eBird and Macaulay Library



thanks
Niels

You mean, THIS one?
Agree, those on the 3 pics above are GBH.

 

[THE_FERN]

Another conundrum probably more likely here than most other places. Great Blue is an uncommon to rare bird here, while Grey heron has been reported this winter. Looking around, I saw descriptions saying that the bend of the wing should be white on Grey Heron - but what then about this bird from Spain: Media Search - eBird and Macaulay Library


My searching was started by a bird I saw this weekend which was skittish, so I only got image while it was flying away. In the scope before it took off, thighs were at best buffy. I still believes it likely was a Great Blue, but I would like some pointers to what should make me sure? Compare for example the image linked to above with the first image below where the landing lights at the front of the wing mostly are white. View attachment 1432360

View attachment 1432361View attachment 1432362

thanks
Niels

Great blue for me. Note chestnut tones on lower flanks of pic 2, also brownish tones on mantle

 

[njlarsen]

You mean, THIS one?
Agree, those on the 3 pics above are GBH.

Yes, that was the image I tried to link to. Don't know what happened.
Niels

 

[Microtus]

Great blue for me. Note chestnut tones on lower flanks of pic 2, also brownish tones on mantle

I agree

 

[KC Foggin]

Great Blue Heron for me.

 

[MacNara]

Hi again Niels:

In order to get all your photos below your last sentence, you need to treat the photos as text and press 'return / enter' before putting in the photos. You can do this on edit. If you go back to your original post, put the cursor after 'white.' and before the first photo, then press 'return' once or twice, then this will work. In short, you can treat photo thumbnails as text.

Best, MacNara

 

[MacNara]

Something like this.

Another conundrum probably more likely here than most other places. Great Blue is an uncommon to rare bird here, while Grey heron has been reported this winter. Looking around, I saw descriptions saying that the bend of the wing should be white on Grey Heron - but what then about this bird from Spain: Media Search - eBird and Macaulay Library.

My searching was started by a bird I saw this weekend which was skittish, so I only got image while it was flying away. In the scope before it took off, thighs were at best buffy. I still believes it likely was a Great Blue, but I would like some pointers to what should make me sure? Compare for example the image linked to above with the first image below where the landing lights at the front of the wing mostly are white.

 

[njlarsen]

Thanks Mac — too much time has passed, my post is no longer available for editing
Niels