Dimorphic Egret in Ruiru [1 Attachment]

Dear Fleur. Very interesting photograph. Its certainly in the Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) complex. Not a pure bird for sure. Looks more like a garzetta x schistacea mix, which occur quite frequently along the Rift Valley all the way from Israel south through Ethiopia to Turkana and south.

I think dimorpha can be ruled out as the yellow on the legs looks too extensive, also in a freshwater wetland.

Best wishes

Don

On 6 Feb 2019, at 16:43, Fleur Ng'weno fleur@africaonline.co.ke [kenyabirdsnet] <kenyabirdsnet-noreply@yahoogroups.com> wrote:

Greetings birders

On the waterbird count at Northlands in Ruiru last week, we saw a different egret. Paul Wachira fortunately took a photo, which is attached. Thanks Paul!

We believe it is a white phase Dimorphic Egret. Note the dark beak (thicker than Little Egret) and dull yellow on toes and also on lower legs.

Wishing you good birding, Fleur

---------- Forwarded message ---------
From: paul wachira <mwaswachira6@gmail.com>

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