Verification of Unusual Sight Record
For Utah

Rec. # 2011-36


Common name:

Little Blue Heron

Scientific name: Egretta caerulea
Date: July 29, 2011
Time: 10:10 AM
Length of time observed: 5 min, still present an hour later
Number: 1
Age: adult
Sex:  
Location: within sight of Ranger Station, Ouray NWR, Utah
County: Uintah
Latilong:  
Elevation:  
Distance to bird: approx. 100 yards
Optical equipment: Kowa TSN-883
Weather: sunny
Light Conditions: clear, sunny
Description:        Size of bird: similar to nearby Cattle Egrets
(Description:)       Basic Shape: heron/egret
(Description:)  Overall Pattern: solid dark blue
(Description:)            Bill Type: straight/slightly-decurved, bicolor
(Description:)                              
Field Marks and
Identifying Characteristics:
solid blue, similar in size to nearby Cattle Egret, bicolored bill (darker near tip), greyish legs
(see photos)
 
Song or call & method of delivery: silent
Behavior: idle, preening, perched on low fallen tree
Habitat: perched on low fallen tree, over flooded marsh area, about 30 feet from edge
Similar species and how
were they eliminated:
Straight bill eliminates Ibis. Blue plumage eliminates all the white egrets and herons. All-dark blue plumage and fairly small size eliminate GB Heron and Tricolored Heron.
Previous experience with
this & similar species:
I see them fairly often at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, New York, near my home
References consulted: Sibley-western
Description from: From memory
Observer: Christopher Eliot
Observer's address: 379 Sterling Place, Brooklyn, NY 11238
Observer's e-mail address: eliot001@umn.edu
Other observers who independently identified this bird: none
Date prepared: July 31, 2011
Additional material: 8 or so additional photos available [four photos are posted]
Additional_Comments: see photo of this bird posted at http://www.flickr.com/photos/eliotc/5995733652/