Large white crane type bird in SE Michigan? (1 Viewer)

[SBUBandit]

I live in South Eastern Michigan, and every day I drive to work on a back dirt road that weaves through a few marshy areas, and there is a particular spot I always slow down because I can usually spot the same Great Blue Heron standing somewhere in the marsh in the morning. I love seeing the Blue Heron take flight. Anyways, this morning I slowed down in the same spot, but instead of the usual Heron, there was an equally large crane/heron type bird standing in the marsh, but it was very bright white, with no apparent markings. it was standing in a foot of water, and was easily 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall above the water, very thin framed, and as I said, pure white. I was unaware of any birds like this in our area. Anyone know what it may have been?

 

[humminbird]

Without a photo I can not be specific, but you might check out the white morph of the Great Blue Heron or the Great Egret. Snowy Egret is smaller, but without seeing the birds side by side it can also apear to be as large as a Great Egret. Good birding.

 

[SBUBandit]

Thanks for the help. Everything i can find about the white morph of the Great Blue Heron says that they are found almost exclusively in Southern Florida, and this was definitely larger than a Snowy Egret, so I am going to assume for now that this was a Great Egret. I didn't realize they were in this area, but from what I just read, their range is extending all the way into Southern Canada now. Thanks

 

[njlarsen]

The thin frame you mention is actually a good indication you probably saw a great egret.

Niels

 

[birderbf]

Without a photo I can not be specific, but you might check out the white morph of the Great Blue Heron or the Great Egret. Snowy Egret is smaller, but without seeing the birds side by side it can also apear to be as large as a Great Egret. Good birding.

This is Michigan we're talking about. Great Egret it is.

 

[Jeff Hopkins]

Great egret sounds the most likely.

That said, never say never. We've had great white heron here in eastern PA, and they do exhibit some amount of vagrancy.

 

[humminbird]

That said, never say never. We've had great white heron here in eastern PA, and they do exhibit some amount of vagrancy.

Thank you. Finally someone who recognizes that birds do not read maps!

 

[AlexC]

Thank you. Finally someone who recognizes that birds do not read maps!

Hahaha - my apologies if you're referencing the minor hummer skirmish. 8-P

 

[humminbird]

Hahaha - my apologies if you're referencing the minor hummer skirmish. 8-P

Not at all. I am referencing comments like "we are discussing Michigan", etc.