Verification of Unusual
Sight Record
For Utah
Rec. # 2006-02
| Common name: |
Little Blue Heron |
| Scientific name: | Egretta caerulea |
| Date: | 13 Sep 2003 |
| Time: | about 9 am |
| Length of time observed: | 15 minutes |
| Number: | 1 |
| Age: | juvenile |
| Sex: | ? |
| Location: | south aiprort dyke, Provo City Airport |
| County: | Utah |
| Latilong: | |
| Elevation: | |
| Distance to bird: | about 50 feet |
| Optical equipment: | 7 x 35 binoculars |
| Weather: | clear, calm |
| Light Conditions: | bright morning |
| Description: Size of bird: | about 2 feet tall |
| (Description:) Basic Shape: | looked like a heron or egret |
| (Description:) Overall Pattern: | totally white, except for quite green legs |
| (Description:) Bill Type: | like a heron |
|
(Description:)
Field Marks and Identifying Characteristics: |
I had never seen a totally white "wader" with green legs before; it took me
quite a while to discover that the only such thing in my guide was the little
blue heron juvenile. The bird had the shape of a snowy egret, only larger, and no frilly feathers, sleek overall. |
| Song or call & method of delivery: | none heard |
| Behavior: | standing on the rocks at the water's edge, as though watching for food |
| Habitat: | edge of the "moat" surrounding the airport |
| Similar
species and
how were they eliminated: |
The key was the green legs. No other bird in my guide has them. |
| Previous
experience with this & similar species: |
I've been watching great blue herons and snowy egrets all my life. I've seen the great egret and the green heron on trips to the east coast. I quickly puty this bird in the same category, but the green legs had me stumped for a while. |
| References consulted: | Sibley, The Sibley Guide to the Birds (NAS) |
| Description from: | Notes taken at time of sighting |
| Observer: | Lynn Garner |
| Observer's address: | 681 E 3230 N [Provo?] |
| Observer's e-mail address: | kayenlynn@comcast.net |
| Other observers who independently identified this bird: | none |
| Date prepared: | 16 Jan 2006 |
| Additional material: | |
| Additional comments: | I had recorded the date and time, and clearly remember the location and the way the bird looked. I'm only reporting it now because I just learned that such reports are being sought. I can go back and get the latilong and altitude (I now have a GPS). |