Grey Heron. Dodder river in Ireland (1 Viewer)

[keps]

I took this photo yesterday.

For some reason the Heron seems more feathery ( I'm sure you can't say feathier!) and fluffier than usual.

Is it a young bird or is it one that has had a good bath?/

 

[dantheman]

Or is it cold where you are? Feathers trap a layer of air as insulation - a thicker layer of air trapped = more insulation ...

??

 

[keps]

Or is it cold where you are? Feathers trap a layer of air as insulation - a thicker layer of air trapped = more insulation ...

??

Yes it was 2degrees here in Dublin today- with a scathingly cold breeze thanks

 

[Butty]

It's an immature (grey central crown and neck-side). They breed very early (now-ish?), which complicates things, but I'd hesitate to say whether it's juvenile or a 1- (or even 2- ?) year-old.

 

[keps]

It's an immature (grey central crown and neck-side). They breed very early (now-ish?), which complicates things, but I'd hesitate to say whether it's juvenile or a 1- (or even 2- ?) year-old.

so you think its very 'feathery' appearance is down to its youth- and not to do with the above insulation suggestion?

 

[01101001]

Here are some more pictures for ageing Grey Herons:

 

[Butty]

so you think its very 'feathery' appearance is down to its youth- and not to do with the above insulation suggestion?

Not what I said. All I'm going to do is to age it (roughly) (which was part of your original question) - and note that birds ruffle their feathers, depending on temperature, mood, etc.