In 2012, I found two juvenile egret/herons which - in consultation with several wading bird experts - concluded were Tricolored Heron x Snowy hybrids. With known LIttle Blue Heron x Snowy Egret hybrids from Connecticut, a combination of pattern, structure, and even behavior clues, we came to the determination of this exceedingly rare - and perhaps undescribed in the literature - species cross.
The next year, at least one returned in adult-like plumage and for several years afterwards, two birds returned to greater Scarborough Marsh. For at least the last 3 years, the photographed individual has returned, which I believe is the offspring of one of the original birds, likely a back cross with a Snowy Egret (I have heard suggestion of the Little Egret being one of the parents, but I don't know what evidence there could be to prove this short of a DNA test).
I had an exhaustive blog on a now defunct section of Mainetoday.com, of which I might still have the original text and corresponding correspondence. I'm currently out of town, but I will check when I get home. For now, there are several albums dedicated to this bird on our store's Facebook page (Facebook.com/freeportwildbird), and more photos in my current blog, Maine Birding Field Notes. (https://mebirdingfieldnotes.blog/) Search for "Tricolored Heron x Snowy Egret hybrid).
-Derek
Sent from my iPhone
I am guessing this is the same bird that has been coming back to Scarborough Marsh for the past few years. I think it was IDed as a Snowy x Tricolored Heron Hybrid. http://www.10000birds.com/snowy-egret-x-tricolored-heron-hybrid-at-scarborough-marsh-maine.htm--
On Monday, April 15, 2019 at 12:08:04 PM UTC-4, carly....@gmail.com wrote:Spotted yesterday behind the Pelreco building along Scarborough marsh. Great, close views - photos just added on eBird. Was viewed in a group of 6 snowy egrets. Black bill, black legs and feet, and bluish/grey and white coloring. Quite a sight!
www.carlyrodgers.com
Maine birds mailing list
maine-birds@googlegroups.com
http://groups.google.com/group/maine-birds
https://sites.google.com/site/birding207
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Maine birds" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to maine-birds+unsubscribe@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/d/optout.
0 comments:
Post a Comment