Great White Heron, or Great Egret? MA, USA (1 Viewer)

craftygirl

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2008

• #1

Was very pleased to see this graceful creature today. I'm not sure if he's a Great White Heron or a Great Egret. My guide points out that the Great White Heron has paler legs than the Great Egret, so I am guessing that the bird in my picture is a Great Egret, but I'd like some other opinions to be sure.

 

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rjackb

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2008

• #2

I would say Great Egret based on the coloration of the bill and the area around its eyes and, also, because the white morph of the Great Blue Heron is usually only found in south Florida.

Jack

 

Last edited: Aug 25, 2008

B&G

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2008

• #3

hi
Great white egret for me too.
Moses-birding club of lake baringo,kenya

 

Microtus

Maryland USA (he/him)

• Aug 25, 2008

• #4

It is a Great Egret (which is called Great White Egret in the Old World).

 

birdboybowley

Well-known member.....apparently so ;)

• Aug 25, 2008

• #5

Microtus said:

It is a Great Egret (which is called Great White Egret in the Old World).

Click to expand...

Until they split 'em!!

 

njlarsen

Gallery Moderator

Opus Editor

Supporter

• Aug 25, 2008

• #6

In addition to the features mentioned, it is typical that the great egret shows the kink in the neck visible in these photos.

Niels

 

Daddylion

The Daddy Lion

• Aug 25, 2008

• #7

Great Blue Heron is only found in S Florida, and I see Great Egrets often and this is one.

 

Jan-Paul Charteris

Sussex birder and budding moth enthusiast

• Aug 25, 2008

• #8

Here's some photos of white phase Great Blue Heron taken in Mexico to compare your bird with. Note differences in jizz and overall bulk as well as leg and bill colour, and size and shape of bill

http://www.tarsiger.com/gallery/index.php?lista=ok&species=7620&family=&sp=search&lang=eng&manner=&sel=4&sex=0&age=0&year=&photo=&pic_method=0&pic_type=0&country=&place=Yucat%E1n&order=lisays_paiva+DESC&sel=4

Jan

 

craftygirl

Well-known member

• Aug 25, 2008

• #9

Thanks for the help, everyone! My guidebook only makes mention of the Great White Heron, it doesn't include a map of their range or a full profile/description, which is why I had so much trouble. Now I know-S. Florida.

 

Jeff Hopkins

Just another...observer

• Aug 25, 2008

• #10

Agree with great egret.

However, great white herons do wander - we had one here in PA a few years ago - so it's worth looking harder at odd-ball white egrets.