Page Index

posted January 25th, 2012; last edited January 25th, 2012 –– David Sibley

A Wurdemann’s-like heron from South Florida

Thanks to reader Anne DuPont for sending in these photos of a pair of Great Blue Herons at Wakodahatchee Wetlands, Delray Beach, Florida. It’s clearly a mated pair, but the female (sexed by behavior) has more white on the head and fore neck, paler legs and bill, white head plumes, paler rust color on the [...]

posted March 3rd, 2010; last edited April 8th, 2010 –– David Sibley

Subspecies by phenology - Great Blue Heron

Phenology is the study of the timing of natural events, and I have recently begun to realize how useful it is for distinguishing subspecies of birds. In San Diego in Mar 2009 I noticed differences in behavior and molt timing that were helpful in distinguishing Belding’s and Northern Savannah Sparrows. I wrote about this again [...]

posted November 5th, 2007; last edited April 9th, 2010 –– David Sibley

"Great White" Heron - not just a color morph

Great White Heron Ardea herodias occidentalis

updated 13 Nov 2007, thanks to all those who have commented publicly and privately. I’ve backed off a bit from my criticism of the TBRC decision, the more I learn the less clear-cut this seems, although I still think it’s at least a good subspecies. Shaibal Mitra sent me [...]