Strange Heron/Egret at Awhitu

[David Lawrie]

I was called to a property at Awhitu to view a strange bird reported by a land owner.
at this stage he wants to keep the location a secret, until we can work out what the bird is.
I have my suspicions but will call for suggestions.
I hope to attach a couple of very heavily cropped photos for guidance.
The bird is virtually all white, with a slight dark smudge behind one eye, and a couple of slightly dark feathers in the tail.
It has a very dark, black? eye, yellowish legs, and the bill appears to have a slight pink tinge, where the landowner originally thought it was yellow.
a strange looking bird, first seen feeding on mudflats and then in a wet paddock.

[Davidthomas]

Looks like the Whitefaced Heron shown earlier in the year that was exhibiting progressive greying if you ask me, it would explain the dark patches along with the bright yellow legs, as well as its general stance large long bill relative to head and its hunched stance + size look about right by my reckoning.

[George Hobson]

That was my first thought too.

[SomesBirder]

white-faced cattle hergret

[Ian Southey]

David

Are you happy it's not an Intermediate Egret?

Ian

[David Lawrie]

I have come to the conclusion that it is a leucistic White Faced Heron

[Paul M]

Was it a gentleman called "Wayne" that called you about this bird? I've seen that, but again the location is private.