Wmahoney923 Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Hi all! I took this picture last summer sometime in July at a cool wildlife Refuge called Pinckney Island just outside Hilton Head Island. Since then, I haven't been able to put my finger on it. It looks similar to a Great Blue Heron, but there are some key differences like the multi-colored bill/beak and weird legs. There's just something different about this bird. Oh, and if it helps at all, I do recall that day that this bird was chaperoning some youngster birds who weren't too old so maybe it has to be with the breeding season. Let me know your thoughts! Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie Spencer Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 Definitely a Great Blue Heron. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 It's a Great Blue Heron that is not in full adult plumage, as it lacks white on the crown. Were the chaperoned birds smaller or differently colored? 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmahoney923 Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 4 hours ago, Peromyscus said: It's a Great Blue Heron that is not in full adult plumage, as it lacks white on the crown. Were the chaperoned birds smaller or differently colored? True that could be it. The birds following it around were much smaller and I believe they were all white. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 9 minutes ago, Wmahoney923 said: The birds following it around were much smaller and I believe they were all white. Check out Snowy Egrets, I often see them following Great Blues. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peromyscus Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 8 minutes ago, Kevin said: Check out Snowy Egrets, I often see them following Great Blues. I agree Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmahoney923 Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 3 hours ago, Kevin said: Check out Snowy Egrets, I often see them following Great Blues. Wow yeah they did kinda look similar, white and puffy, but only about the size of a small child if I remember correctly. They were all walking into the dry marsh bed as I walked down trail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liam Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 That's about the right size for Snowy Egret. They're dime a dozen at Pickney. White Ibis too, if you aren't familiar with those. I grew up visiting Pickney as a kid when my family would take vacations to HHI. Many fond memories there as a developing birder. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IKLland Posted January 12, 2022 Share Posted January 12, 2022 For sure a great blue, looks like an immature. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wmahoney923 Posted January 12, 2022 Author Share Posted January 12, 2022 1 hour ago, IKLland said: For sure a great blue, looks like an immature. Thanks! I knew something was off lol glad to have finally figured that out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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