1st Summer or adult (Night Heron)?

[RobinHood]

Southern Ontario this morning.

Night Herons are uncommon at this location. On my last visit I found an adult but this one possibly looks more like a 1st Summer bird - although the bill has changed to black there is still streaking on the underside. Only got a brief glimpse from a distance and it was heavily backlit (perhaps explaining the wings?).

Thanks.

Edited July 6, 2021 by RobinHood

[Quiscalus quiscula]

Looks like adult Black-crowned Night Heron.

[RobinHood]

37 minutes ago, Quiscalus quiscula said:

Looks like adult Black-crowned Night Heron.

You may well be right and the bird just looked unusual because of the strong back lighting.

I did a quick search and there are examples of older 1st summer birds which have changed to an all black bill but still retain streaking below.

However, I did find this example of an immature bird which definitely didn't pay attention to some of the parental guidance provided ?:

https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/253289771

[Tony Leukering]

1 hour ago, RobinHood said:

1st Summer bird

This is a one-year-old: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/352614061

[Kevin]

4 hours ago, Tony Leukering said:

This is a one-year-old: https://macaulaylibrary.org/asset/352614061

Just wanting to learn here...Why is it a one year old?

Edited July 6, 2021 by Kevin

[Tony Leukering]

26 minutes ago, Kevin said:

Just wanting to learn here...Why is it a one year old?

Because it hatched last year. ?

It’s got some black in the crown and has replaced many of its wing coverts, thus losing a lot is the spotting. It’s probably a little on the retarded side of molt progression for the sp, as most one-year-olds are somewhat more adult-like by this point in the plumage cycle.