ML640215143

Observation details

First photographed earlier today by someone searching for the Little Blue Heron. After discussing it with Jerald and noting some strange plumage features for a Little Blue, Jerald followed up on the bird and we were able to relocate it after him for some incredible looks over the course of about an hour. Plumage doesn’t seem to fit any expected juvenile egret/heron species on its own and seems to indicate a hybrid. Unsure as to which combination exactly, but plumage seems to possibly indicate Snowy Egret, Tricolored Heron, or Little Blue Heron as options. The black on the shins seem reminiscent of a juvenile Snowy Egret, while the contrasting white belly that continues up the throat and into the area around the wrist of the wing bears a good bit of resemblance to that of a juvenile Tricolored Heron, as does the scalloping pattern in the wings and the darker gray flight feathers/tail. The head proportions do seem a bit small for a Tricolored, but it would seem likely that a LBHE x SNEG hybrid would produce a juvenile that is still pure white since the juvenile of both species are solid white and do not show the dusky color of this bird. We will be seeking other opinions as any hybrid heron/egret would be significant.