FW: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification = Yellow Bittern

Hi David, It is because it is now clear that the streaks on the back are a real plumage feature whereas before I thought they may have been highlights produced by reflected sunlight combined with shadows of feathers raised by wind Alternatively, photographic artefact due to the low quality image, low pixel count – poor definition. Striated Herons are plain on the back, i.e. they lack those stripes/streaks. The diagonal dark line across the face through the eye is a diagnostic character of Yellow Bittern and shows better in this image. Misleading is that it is suitable habitat for Striated Heron but a bizarre place for a Yellow Bittern. Perhaps it had just flown in. Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136 —– Original Message —– From: “David Stowe” <davidstowe@optusnet.com.au> To: “Mike Carter” <pterodroma@bigpond.com> Cc: “brendon levot” <brendonlevot@live.com>; <birding-aus@birding-aus.org>; “David James” <burunglaut07@yahoo.com>; “Jeff Davies” <jeff@jeffdavies.com.au> Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 2:28 PM Subject: Re: [Birding-Aus] FW: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification = Yellow Bittern Hi Mike, As someone watching from the sidelines I’m finding this discussion very interesting and informative. Thanks to all! I was wondering what it is about this second image that has swayed you? Best regards, Dave Stowe On 27/02/2014, at 1:53 PM, “Mike Carter” <pterodroma@bigpond.com> wrote: > This is a much better photo and changes my mind re its identity. Now, as > Jeff was trying to persuade us, I have no doubt that it is a Yellow > Bittern. > Now Brendon, if others agree, you have to prepare two submissions to Birds > Australia Rarities Committee (BARC), this and the Cinnamon Bittern. If you > need help with those, see the BARC website or contact our chairman Tony > Palliser, copied in above. > > Mike Carter > 30 Canadian Bay Road > Mount Eliza VIC 3930 > Tel (03) 9787 7136 > > —– Original Message —– From: “brendon levot” <brendonlevot@live.com> > To: <birding-aus@birding-aus.org> > Sent: Thursday, February 27, 2014 1:02 PM > Subject: [Birding-Aus] FW: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification > > From: brendonlevot@live.com > To: nhaass@yahoo.com > Subject: RE: Christmas Island Unknown Heron Identification > Date: Thu, 27 Feb 2014 13:00:52 +1100 > > Hello everyone, > > First of all thankyou for the overwhelming response, secondly sorry for my > lack of involvement in the thread as I have been computer less until now. > > I have posted another picture > > link here: http://www.wildsideaustralia.com.au/unknown-birdy-image-2/ > > sorry about the poor quality, these are the only 2 images. > > Some parks rangers who saw the bird who are not birders identified the > bird as a juvenile Chinese Pond Heron using a field guide and based the ID > on size. > > I hope this helps out a little. > > The facebook discussion was very helpful in identifying the bird as most > people tended to side with Juv Striated Heron perhaps a sub spp of sorts, > however I decided to post to birding aus as per request from some birders > for further opinion. > > and also, yes interestingly a Cinnamon Bittern is currently in care being > treated for dehydration and exhaustion, it is soon to be released. > > a link to the Cinnamon Bittern can be found here: > http://www.wildsideaustralia.com.au/seldom-seen-the-cinnamon-bittern/ > > Thankyou all, > > Best, > > Brendon Levot. > _______________________________________________ Birding-Aus mailing list Birding-Aus@birding-aus.org To change settings or unsubscribe visit: http://birding-aus.org/mailman/listinfo/birding-aus_birding-aus.org