This morning Eric Salzman (a respected birder who writes a daily blog) said he found a Little Egret in the creek behind his house. Lucky for me he lives 5 minutes away. He also said he has seen this species (in the same vicinity) once before, in 1999 but he was the only one to view the bird and as such it is not an accepted NYS species. Little Egrets have been accepted in all other east coast states, so it's entirely plausible. The biggest way to tell a Little Egret and a Snowy Egret apart (from what I've read/been told) is the length of the plumes coming from the head. A Little Egret has 2 or 3 long plumes, whereas the Snowy Egret has very short plumes. Well, I've photographed a lot of Snowy's and none had a plume like this, but I'm hoping someone with actual experience with this species can weigh in. Sorry for the MASSIVE crops
From the long plumes I would think Little Egret, do you have any images that show stringy or shaggy breast plumes or the lores clearly? Little Egrets have gray lores except during apr - may, at which time they appear yellow-orange
This was as close as I got unfortunately. More folks are looking today and I will be out there again at low tide this afternoon in hopes of finding it. If I get any additional photos I will post them.
Thanks for posting this topic. Most birders have a deep appreciation for getting the ID correct, so I respect your approach here. I'm an experienced birder, but by no means an expert. And I have no experience at all with the Little Egret (but plenty with Snowy). My impression is that this is a Snowy Egret, but I reserve the right to change my mind - especially if you are able to get some closer images.
Images 1 and 3 show bright yellow feet where the yellow seems to cover the entire foot and maybe even up the 'ankle'. Number 3 also appears to show bright yellow lores. Both of these have me leaning towards Snowy.
On the other hand, image 2 shows more extensive white/pale color on the lower mandible. And all three images show that conspicuously long plume. Those features woud suggest this may be a Little Egret.
So you definitely have an interesting bird here. I'm sure someone else has more expertise, and hopefully they will jump in. If you're interested, here is one photo study on distinguishing the two species (http://www.oceanwanderers.com/LTEGRT.html). I'm looking forward to more pictures and more discussion.
Thanks for the input. I looked again today but came up with nothing unfortunately. I wish I had taken the risk and went to the other side in hopes of getting closer to this bird even if I wasn't sure if it was what I was looking for - but now I know better.
In Nat Geo's Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America as well as Sibleys, the yellow lore is indicated as being present (though usually from Mar-May) so while it would stretch the season a little, it's entirely possible (if not expected).
The bill looks more dagger like than a Snowy's (though it's very subjective with such an extreme crop).
It's funny you posted that link - I stumbled upon it last night and know the author quite well. He was the 2nd person I e-mailed about this (he lives nearby and is one of the biggest bird nerds on Long Island). He agrees it's the bird that was originally soon, but raised similar issues. I just hope it is still around and someone will get a better look.
Thanks for the update Luke. I'll keep my eye on this thread, in case there are more developments. For what its worth, I did some more research last night and now I'm really on the fence. The lores, as you noted, can be yellow through May, so it pays not to lock onto one field mark. Maybe your resident expert will be able to shed some light on it.
Here is the latest update. It comes from Paul Lehman, former editor of Birding magazine whose name you can almost always find in a birding guide book under map/range consultant.
"I do not think this New York bird is a pure Little Egret. It is either a
strange Snowy or a hybrid. The long plume suggests Little, but as Luke
points out, the lores are brighter than a Little typically shows at this
time of year and fits Snowy. Also, Little Egrets have slightly LARGER
BILLS than Snowy Egrets, but this bird seems to have the bill just like
a Snowy. And Littles have slightly DULLER colored feet than Snowys, so
they contrast a bit less with the leg, but this bird has as bright a
foot and sharp a foot/leg contrast as one sees on any Snowy!"
Discussion
9 replies- Luke
From the long plumes I would think Little Egret, do you have any images that show stringy or shaggy breast plumes or the lores clearly? Little Egrets have gray lores except during apr - may, at which time they appear yellow-orange
This was as close as I got unfortunately. More folks are looking today and I will be out there again at low tide this afternoon in hopes of finding it. If I get any additional photos I will post them.
I would love to see more images of this bird!
Thanks for posting this topic. Most birders have a deep appreciation for getting the ID correct, so I respect your approach here. I'm an experienced birder, but by no means an expert. And I have no experience at all with the Little Egret (but plenty with Snowy). My impression is that this is a Snowy Egret, but I reserve the right to change my mind - especially if you are able to get some closer images.
Images 1 and 3 show bright yellow feet where the yellow seems to cover the entire foot and maybe even up the 'ankle'. Number 3 also appears to show bright yellow lores. Both of these have me leaning towards Snowy.
On the other hand, image 2 shows more extensive white/pale color on the lower mandible. And all three images show that conspicuously long plume. Those features woud suggest this may be a Little Egret.
So you definitely have an interesting bird here. I'm sure someone else has more expertise, and hopefully they will jump in. If you're interested, here is one photo study on distinguishing the two species (http://www.oceanwanderers.com/LTEGRT.html). I'm looking forward to more pictures and more discussion.
- Jeff
Thanks for the input. I looked again today but came up with nothing unfortunately. I wish I had taken the risk and went to the other side in hopes of getting closer to this bird even if I wasn't sure if it was what I was looking for - but now I know better.
In Nat Geo's Field Guide to the Birds of Eastern North America as well as Sibleys, the yellow lore is indicated as being present (though usually from Mar-May) so while it would stretch the season a little, it's entirely possible (if not expected).
The bill looks more dagger like than a Snowy's (though it's very subjective with such an extreme crop).
It's funny you posted that link - I stumbled upon it last night and know the author quite well. He was the 2nd person I e-mailed about this (he lives nearby and is one of the biggest bird nerds on Long Island). He agrees it's the bird that was originally soon, but raised similar issues. I just hope it is still around and someone will get a better look.
- Luke
"I do not think this New York bird is a pure Little Egret. It is either a
strange Snowy or a hybrid. The long plume suggests Little, but as Luke
points out, the lores are brighter than a Little typically shows at this
time of year and fits Snowy. Also, Little Egrets have slightly LARGER
BILLS than Snowy Egrets, but this bird seems to have the bill just like
a Snowy. And Littles have slightly DULLER colored feet than Snowys, so
they contrast a bit less with the leg, but this bird has as bright a
foot and sharp a foot/leg contrast as one sees on any Snowy!"
- Luke