Hi Norm,
Thanks for chiming in. I have no experience with Little Egrets, having never
seen one.
I do want to ask however about the discussion of back plumes. All I have to
go on are the field guides (Natl Geo 6th Ed, Sibley, among others). It seems
to me that in reviewing these texts, they make a point (and the pictures
show it) that in breeding plumage the 2-3 plumes of the Little Egret far
exceed anything we might see on the Snowy at any time of year. And they seem
quite distinctive in the drawings. And match precisely my memory of what I
saw on Sunday.
Is your comment ("Discussion of back plumes is not very helpful") meant to
apply generally or at all times of the year? If one sees these distinctive
plumes on a white egret, to the same degree as shown in both of the above
mentioned field guides for a breeding Little Egret, is that still not enough
to go on? I am just wondering if your comment was meant for times when the
plumes were not distinctive and in high-breeding, or if the plumes are truly
of no assistance in ID'ng a bird even in this case.
I have seen, as I am sure many folks here have, hundreds of Snowy's over the
years, and I don't think I have ever seen any sporting 2-3 distinctive long
plumes; even in high-breeding plumage. Have you (or anyone) ever seen a
Snowy Egret with 2-3 very distinct and long plumes? Perhaps this is common
and I just don't know about it.
Thanks for educating us.
Jeff J Jones
( <mailto:[email protected]> [email protected])
Teller County - 8500' - Montane Woodlands
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf
Of Norm Erthal
Sent: Monday, April 29, 2013 10:31 PM
To: [email protected]
Subject: [cobirds] Little Egret ID
I have seen hundreds of little egrets in several countries. This includes in
Trinidad and Tobago where there was one in breeding plumage with snowys
present. The id is not readily apparent. Discussion of back plumes is not
very helpful. They are not significantly different than on snowy. Black legs
and yellow feet are of course no use as this is a primary field mark for
snowy. Without a photograph, calling an egret with the field marks mentioned
would lead me to say that it is a snowy.
Norm Erthal
Arvada
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