Name that bird!

[Debbie Foster]

I saw a bird the size of a great blue heron beside the little pond at the corner of McKee and Pleasant Plains one afternoon this week. From a distance it looked to be white.

I've never seen any egrets over there before. Anybody seeing any around that area or can you think of something else it could be?

[Steve Schmeiser]

It could be a Great Egret. It would be all white, with black legs and feet -- about 7 inches shorter than the Great Blue Heron. There is a white morph of the Great Blue, which is often referred to as the Great White Heron. The Great White is common in the Florida keys, but it would be very unlikely in Charlotte.

[Debbie Foster]

That was my first guess, too. I spoke to some people from Audubon yesterday while I was out on a hike with them (actually, we were swimming, but that's another story). The leader of the tour has seen Great Egrets in this area.

[Jim Stegall]

Beats me. I would just note that in my experience color is hard to judge accurately at a distance--but that may just be me.

[Debbie Foster]

I agree, but I would say that I can see when it's the heron at the same place. Based on a couple of responses there's a possiblility that it's a Great Egret. Apparently they have been seen in this area.

[Jim Stegall]

That's an exciting possibility. According to my Peterson's Field Guide, Great Egrets do come about this far inland in the summer. Maybe with the good weather we had recently this one just couldn't wait.

[Debbie Foster]

I've been keeping an eye out every time I go by there. So far, no repeat sighting.

[Sandy Lee]

There is one we used to see in the Florida Everglades name a Wurdemans (spelling?). It was supposed to be a cross between a great blue and white. I have never seen any up here, but global warming?? Who knows.