Mark B Bartosik
Well-known member
Hi all,
Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) taxonomic status is still debated. Some authors provide arguments that this is subspecies of Great Blue Heron, some that this is full species and some want to see it as a ‘white morph’. I personally see many valid points to classified it as subspecies which were presented by some of the greatest taxonomists (e.g. Mayr, E. 1956) and would like to see more research done to review McGuire’s (2002) studies. His proposal to classified Great White Heron as a full species can be found here (with plenty of interesting arguments): http://research.myfwc.com/engine/do...guire_0501.pdf&objid=49161&dltype=publication
David Sibley also wrote very interesting page were he summarized most of published papers and his own thoughts:
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/11/great-white-heron-not-just-a-color-morph/
The Texas Bird Records Committee in 2006 decided by vote that Great White Heron is just a GBHE ‘white morph’ and took it off from a review species list. As one consequence, I think, we have practically no data collected (it is not “tickable” for birders anymore). On eBird I see only 3 records entered in Texas; last one from 2009. Mine is waiting for review.
I understand (based on information from private sources) that at least one Great White Heron successfully nests in Texas now (mated with GBHE) and produced mostly blue offspring in past several years. This year mixed pair produced a mixed brood (1 white and one dark chick). This data plus one earlier record from Texas of two white chicks in nest of two blue parents add some interesting material to Mayr’s thoughts (1956)
Here are a few photos of this pair taken offshore in Calhoun County, Texas on April 22, 2013
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/149850084
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/149850090
Including well visible plume length on both birds
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/149850094
More photos can be check here
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/great_white_heron_and_great_blue_heron_breeding_pair_texas_april
Best regards,
Mark
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/from_the_field
Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis) taxonomic status is still debated. Some authors provide arguments that this is subspecies of Great Blue Heron, some that this is full species and some want to see it as a ‘white morph’. I personally see many valid points to classified it as subspecies which were presented by some of the greatest taxonomists (e.g. Mayr, E. 1956) and would like to see more research done to review McGuire’s (2002) studies. His proposal to classified Great White Heron as a full species can be found here (with plenty of interesting arguments): http://research.myfwc.com/engine/do...guire_0501.pdf&objid=49161&dltype=publication
David Sibley also wrote very interesting page were he summarized most of published papers and his own thoughts:
http://www.sibleyguides.com/2007/11/great-white-heron-not-just-a-color-morph/
The Texas Bird Records Committee in 2006 decided by vote that Great White Heron is just a GBHE ‘white morph’ and took it off from a review species list. As one consequence, I think, we have practically no data collected (it is not “tickable” for birders anymore). On eBird I see only 3 records entered in Texas; last one from 2009. Mine is waiting for review.
I understand (based on information from private sources) that at least one Great White Heron successfully nests in Texas now (mated with GBHE) and produced mostly blue offspring in past several years. This year mixed pair produced a mixed brood (1 white and one dark chick). This data plus one earlier record from Texas of two white chicks in nest of two blue parents add some interesting material to Mayr’s thoughts (1956)
Here are a few photos of this pair taken offshore in Calhoun County, Texas on April 22, 2013
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/149850084
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/149850090
Including well visible plume length on both birds
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/image/149850094
More photos can be check here
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/great_white_heron_and_great_blue_heron_breeding_pair_texas_april
Best regards,
Mark
http://www.pbase.com/mbb/from_the_field
