Bird Identification, Anyone?

[patandchickens]

It does have a prehistoric feel doesn't it? Do they still call pterodactyl "pterodactyl's" anymore?

Oh OK, the proper all-inclusive technical term for the group as a whole is 'pterosaur', but AFAIK it still includes pterodactyls (Pterodactylus). Although my general feeling is that I have no responsibility to keep up with changes in taxonomic names outside of critters that I am directly working with, which since I am no longer employed as a biologists means NOT ANY OF THEM hahahahaha

When I was 5, in 1970, and had a big plastic pterodactyl, they were pterodactyls. 'Sgood enough for me

I still think kOxxx could get interest from the National Enquirer. Hey, in your part of the world it could be an extra-rare Ivory-billed Pterodactyl, right?

Pat

 

[big brown horse]

It does have a prehistoric feel doesn't it? Do they still call pterodactyl "pterodactyl's" anymore?

Oh OK, the proper all-inclusive technical term for the group as a whole is 'pterosaur', but AFAIK it still includes pterodactyls (Pterodactylus). Although my general feeling is that I have no responsibility to keep up with changes in taxonomic names outside of critters that I am directly working with, which since I am no longer employed as a biologists means NOT ANY OF THEM hahahahaha

When I was 5, in 1970, and had a big plastic pterodactyl, they were pterodactyls. 'Sgood enough for me

I still think kOxxx could get interest from the National Enquirer. Hey, in your part of the world it could be an extra-rare Ivory-billed Pterodactyl, right?

Pat

I used to sing dinosaur songs with the kids in my classroom, it was tough keeping up with the changing "taxonomic names" of prehistory. (That and the changing names and bounderies of countries too.)

 

[k0xxx]

I still think kOxxx could get interest from the National Enquirer. Hey, in your part of the world it could be an extra-rare Ivory-billed Pterodactyl, right?

Pat

Hmmm.... Just a little use of Photoshop and and you may be right. Unfortunately, the National Enquirer seems to be scooping other media outlets in real news these days. I may have to lower my standards and send it to the New York Times.

 

[eggs4sale]

Sure looks like an egret or heron. Most of them look different during different life phases or during breeding times.

I'm not sure, but according to your photo, the beak looks yellow and the legs look black.

The Great Blue Heron can be white during one phase, but the legs are yellow. During the gray phase, the legs are darker, but then there are markers all along the wings. It is an enormous bird, though, even larger than a stork. It is usually alone.

It's not a snowy egret, but it could be a cattle egret or great egret, but both of those are very obviously white. They are a lot smaller then the GBH, but the great egret is still exciting to watch. We have three roosting in our Eucalyptus trees right now. Very dinosaur feeling.

About how big would you say the bird was? Do you have water nearby: lake, river, canals?

I'm sort of a bird freak, so you can ignore me if I become irritating.

 

[k0xxx]

About how big would you say the bird was? Do you have water nearby: lake, river, canals?

I'm sort of a bird freak, so you can ignore me if I become irritating.

It was easily 36 inches from wing tip to wind tip. Behind the brush seen in the first photo, is a small stream. Another fifty feet ahead and the bird would be directly over a small pond. We also have rivers and several lakes within a few miles, and several other ponds within 2000 feet or so of my home. So there is definitely water around.

I love watching birds also. I have seen great blue herons a few time in the marshes around New Orleans, but just did not get a good enough look at this one, thanks to the glare of the morning sun.

 

[eggs4sale]

The Great Blue Heron has a beak to tail length of 38 inches, and wingspan of 70 inches. It is typically gray with all kinds of markings. In Florida, they have two different phases of Great Blue Heron, including the white.

Baby great blue herons are obviously smaller. I've never seen youngsters old enough to fly, as the ones here both died around fledgling time. They were light gray with no markings, and about the size of a cattle egret.

You may be lucky enough to be seeing a juvenile!