Re: [Maine-birds] "Two Little Egrets" RFI

I don't know the specifics of Little/Snowy hybrids, so this will not answer your question, but here is what I observed.  I (and the six persons with me) saw two Little Egrets (or Little Egret types) together on Sunday, May 27, on the marsh and mud at Gilsland Farm's north meadow overlook.  At one point, both birds were in the same scope view.  Both clearly had two long feathers on the back of the head, without the fluffy thicket of shorter feathers that Snowy Egrets have.  We observed them for 15-20 minutes.  Their plumes became very viewable each time the breeze caught them, and their length appeared to be between 3 and 4 inches.  

One of the birds had a small yellow lore, more restricted in area than the yellow expected on a Snowy.  

I will check with the photographer in our group to see if he obtained usable photos of the two.  

Steve Patterson

Camden, SC

-----Original Message-----
From: 'Derek and Jeannette Lovitch' via Maine birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
To: Maine Birds <maine-birds@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Fri, Jun 1, 2018 5:37 pm
Subject: [Maine-birds] "Two Little Egrets" RFI

Hi all,

I was curious if anyone has photographed or otherwise documented a/the second Little Egret this year. While one bird has clearly returned and has been its usually predictably unpredictable self in the Presumpscot River in Portland-Falmouth, following the same general routine as summers past, I was curious as to the other reports from here and elsewhere of more than one bird. Specifically, my interest is whether or not folks have been able to eliminate a hybrid Snowy x Little as a possibility, which is not an easy thing to do. With "our" Little Egret back for Year 4, it is more than possible that it has successfully bred by now, and hybrids are known on this side of the Atlantic. I ask only out of personal curiosity and investigation; I'll leave the list-policing to others. 

Many thanks for any info you may have,

Derek

*****************************************

 Derek and Jeannette Lovitch

 Freeport Wild Bird Supply

 541 Route One, Suite 10

 Freeport, ME 04032

 207-865-6000

 www.freeportwildbirdsupply.com  

 ****************************************

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