The idea as expressed in the email below from Kevin Bartram suggesting that this bird is a leucistic Pied Heron has also been voiced by others but more in relation to the somewhat similar bird at Parry’s Lagoon WA.. It is indeed interesting that the plumage pattern of the bird resembles a faded or washed-out version of that species and the yellow legs of the bird as they appear in the photo I posted on Eremaea is an exact match for Pied Heron. However, other bare-part colouration does not match. The bill is mainly dark grey not yellow and the facial skin is yellow not black as would be in a typical Pied Heron of any age. Moreover the legs aren’t wholly yellow. Other photos show that much of the front of the legs and upper surface of the toes are dark with soles yellow as normal for Little Egret. Also the bird was similar in size and in all other respects to a typical Little Egret that accompanied it. So I still maintain that it is a Little Egret.
Mike Carter 30 Canadian Bay Road Mount Eliza VIC 3930 Tel (03) 9787 7136
