Name that Bird!!

[matt]

Anyone recognise this big white fella???

It just made its way into our backyard:) My guess is it's some sort of crane?

[TrevorW]

Cattle Egret, Ardea ibis, are 46-54 cm long, with a snowy all white body. They have a shorter neck than other Egrets, and it further retracts when they are standing at rest. Non-breeding birds have a yellow bill & iris, while the legs are greyish-yellow. In late Autumn Cattle Egrets fly north, where they breed in the Spring and acquire orange plumage on their head, chest & back. The legs and bill also become redder, but the bill retains a yellow tip. Some birds still have the breeding plumage (http://home.vicnet.net.au/%7Efbpw/c_egret2.jpg) when they return to Victoria in the Summer. The Sexes are similar and juveniles resemble non-breeding adults. (Their slightly larger cousin, the Little Egret 56-65cm long, has a black bill.)

[matt]

Ahhhhh.....thanks, Trevor.

I'm not much of a bird watcher. So when something different to a magpie or crow enters my backyard I get a little excited!:lol:

[troypiggo]

Wonderful capture. Well exposed.

[matt]

Thanks Troy.

Consider it my small tribute to BIMBO:D

[DavidU]

An immature Southern Abyssinian white crested trotting duck?:D

[Dennis]

Hi Matt

A beautiful photo – the delicate, wispy feathers (breeding plumage?) look fantastic. The green colour surrounding the eye is quite intriguing – is this real or has all the white plumage somehow distorted the colour balance.

Top shot regardless. Consider yourself a BIMBO!:lol:

Cheers

Dennis

[matt]

Nope. No distortion. The green colouring around the eye is what was there.

[astro_south]

Super shot Matt