Yesterday I saw a funny looking egret passing a meadow in north-eastern Switzerland. I entered it as an Unidentified Bird" in the swiss bird sighting "ornitho.ch". Here my notes:
A dark, blue-gray heron with pale underparts and legs, hint of purple on arm/hand coverts, yellow iris, white just below bill with rusty brown throat (see photos). Same size or slightly larger than Little Egret. Smaller than Grey Heron. Quietly searching for prey in mowed meadow. Next small stream about 50 m away. Agricultural and rural district some 430 meters above sea-level. Feathers on neck and part of head smeared or wet; perhaps this is why the neck leaves a slender impression. Underside possibly with black stripes; difficult to say since the bird showed itself mostly from the side and behind. Observation time from 17:58 to 18:02 from the car. The bird was still there when I had to leave because of other cars.
I'm very hesitant about the identification. Also I have no ideas whether such herons are kept in captivity/parks...
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
A dark, blue-gray heron with pale underparts and legs, hint of purple on arm/hand coverts, yellow iris, white just below bill with rusty brown throat (see photos). Same size or slightly larger than Little Egret. Smaller than Grey Heron. Quietly searching for prey in mowed meadow. Next small stream about 50 m away. Agricultural and rural district some 430 meters above sea-level. Feathers on neck and part of head smeared or wet; perhaps this is why the neck leaves a slender impression. Underside possibly with black stripes; difficult to say since the bird showed itself mostly from the side and behind. Observation time from 17:58 to 18:02 from the car. The bird was still there when I had to leave because of other cars.
I'm very hesitant about the identification. Also I have no ideas whether such herons are kept in captivity/parks...
I would greatly appreciate your thoughts.
