Green Heron or Bittern Reno Nevada USA? (1 Viewer)

[Birds4Kathy]

On October 6, 2023 I observed a bird at a local hotspot in Reno Nevada called Diamond Creek Pond. I identified it as a Green Heron but these birds are rare in Reno so I had to justify this conclusion on ebird and enclosed photos. Two days later the bird has yet to be recognized on ebird. I identified the bird as a JUVENILE Green Heron and now I'm wondering if the problem is that it is actually an adult rather than a juvenile bird. Another possibility is that it is an American Bittern but it sure looks more like a Green Heron to me? Any insights would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Kathy

 

[Larry Sweetland]

It's an immature Green Heron

 

[Bewick]

It’s definitely an immature green heron- my advice is that you’ll probably have to wait a while longer for it to be checked out a confirmed.

 

[Ruff-Leg]

Absolutely juvenile Green Heron. Great pictures! eBird reviewers just take a while sometimes.

 

[Birds4Kathy]

Thanks to all three of you for confirming the Green Heron identification and the fact that it is an immature/juvenile. I REALLY appreciate your help. Best Wishes, Kathy

 

[KC Foggin]

Yup! A Green Heron for the first pic and I'm leaning towards a Bittern for the second pic.

 

[Mike Earp]

Yup! A Green Heron for the first pic and I'm leaning towards a Bittern for the second pic.

That's funny, because both photos are clearly of the same individual Green Heron ...

 

[Microtus]

Absolutely juvenile Green Heron. Great pictures! eBird reviewers just take a while sometimes.

Agreed on all points.

I just checked the Washoe County eBird Rare Bird Alert (https://ebird.org/alert/summary?sid=SN35992&sortBy=obsDt&o=desc) (rolling 7 day time frame) and all 14 listings including this Green Heron are unconfirmed. The oldest sighting I see right now is from October 2.

 

[Butty]

both photos are clearly of the same individual

Given the similar-looking surroundings, they may well be - but I see no proof of this, 'clear' or otherwise.

 

[Mike Earp]

Given the similar-looking surroundings, they may well be - but I see no proof of this, 'clear' or otherwise.

The observer said "I observed a bird at a local hotspot" which makes it pretty clear to me.

 

[Butty]

The observer said "I observed a bird at a local hotspot" which makes it pretty clear to me.

Wow. Our attitudes to birding and to ID differ utterly 👍🏼

 

[Mike Earp]

Wow. Our attitudes to birding and to ID differ utterly 👍🏼

You think there may have been two Green Herons and the observer photographed both without realising there was more than one? A new twist on the two bird theory.

 

[Butty]

No. And I think it best that we stick to observable facts.

 

[Jim M.]

Agree with juvenile green heron; certainly appears to be two photos of the same bird.

FYI, eBird reviewers are all volunteers. They may take days, weeks, months, or even years to confirm sightings. So I wouldn't worry about the timing of any confirmation.