Latham Egret

[Steven Mlodinow]

Greetings All

I  truly believe the Latham egret naught but a most peculiar Snowy. I've posted photos and discussion at 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/36088296@N08/

Following the egret, there are also pics of the BW Warbler, a Logan County Glossy Ibis, a Eastern Kingbird devouring a Sphinx Moth if your interested.

Sorry that I did not say anything about this bird when I found it. I did send these photos to a number of eastern USA and Caribbean experts for their opinions, and I will report back.

Also, there is a very small cormorant at Windsor Lake (not Reservoir). It clearly is NOT a Neotropical. However, it might be a hybrid. More on that tomorrow.

Best Wishes

Steven Mlodinow

Longmont CO

[Cathy Sheeter]

And I have posted a collection of photos of the peculiar egret also to flickr at: https://www.flickr.com/photos/aphelionart/sets/72157645245956205/

[W. Robert Shade III]

Have you considered the possibility of Egretta garzetta, the Little Egret of Eurasia? To me the excellent photographs are like this species at every point. See Sibley (older version) p. 89. The two long head plumes are key.  Has this species been recorded in Colorado?

Bob Shade

Lakewood

[Steven Mlodinow]

Greetings All

I've heard back from 5 excellent birders, 4 or whom have had to deal with issues such as potential hybrid SNEG x LIEG as well as plain old Little vs Snowy Egret ID. All said, without hesitation, that the Latham bird is a Snowy. 

And.. when I look at the photo, I see naught that is not typical for Snowy except the plumes.

Perhaps long plumes are an ancestral trait being exhibited by a gene mutation. Such things occur in waterfowl, so ... ?

Best Wishes

Steven Mlodinow

Longmont, CO