BirdingNZ.net

Sighting from Angela and Jim Cassels, yesterday, via Keith at Miranda. I'll try to add photos but it may have wait till I get home.

"Re the White-necked Heron it was photographed in a field on the shore side of the road between Waharaou Regional Park and Kaiaua. The view in the other direction from the little car park,from which we photographed the heron, is shown in the first image."

I really hate to he a doubter, and I know I'm not entirely qualified to say this.... But could it be a weird White-faced Heron?

The amount of white on the neck looks weird for a white necked? And all the other colours look almost identical to white-faced, apart from the unusual amount of white of course?
Just a thought.

George

I agree with George. Looks more like a form of leucism. For comparison:
I suppose it comes down to the bird's size or if better photos are taken.

Hi all,

Afraid George is right. Its not a White-necked Heron (and there is a really good reason why I didnt write "white-necked heron"!!??).

Apart from the fact that it has a white neck, everything else is wrong.

cheers

Dangit. Thought I had a chance at ticking that one.

Happy to be corrected. Posting from my phone and can't really see much on it.

Hey Neil,

There's no criticism, real nor intended. I for one would rather have a hundred alerts like this than miss the big one that someone didn't post because they weren't sure!

So thanks for posting in the first place.

cheers

Thought I should change the title so no one else freaks out. I thought it was a white necked heron too... are there any other cases that anyone knows about where this has occurred?

Bound to make all the international birders that turn up this summer pretty happy...should someone put a sign up or just let them have their fun?...

EDIT: Can't change the title anyway...

I'm very much with Sav on this, its my sentiment entirely.