BIRD 6

Here we have another large heron, judging by the large bulk of the body compared to the small head and long thin neck. Judging from the background vegetation, this bird, unlike Bird 3, is in ‘normal’ sunlight, providing more or less ‘true’ colours . These are distinctly orange-brown, just about all over. The darkest part is the forecrown and the yellow bill is long and dagger like, extending from the head more in the manner of a Great White Egret than that of a Grey Heron. Also, Grey Herons are never brown, like this, and have plainer ‘faces’. It can only be a Purple Heron, but lacks the purple tones of an adult, as this is a juvenile Purple Heron, a rare visitor and occasional breeder.

KEY FEATURES †Relatively small head implies large heron †Overall buff-orange-brown, some streaking on neck and breast †Dagger like bill ‘continuous’ with head †Yellow legs