"modestus" Great White Egret? N Italy 1 apr 2024 (1 Viewer)

[Andrea-Bologna]

Dear all,
I wonder if this bird could be a Casmerodius albus modestus (Great White Egret, oriental subsp.).
Pics taken 1st April 24, in a wetland area in Italy (between Modena and Bologna).
Legs seems to be wholly red, apart from some dark parts due to mud, I think.
Also, the bill seems rather small, compared to the European subsp.
All the books I checked up suggest for the modestus subsp., but I understand this ‘d be highly amazing for north Italy.
Apart form my bird, I see in Italy there are quite a few report of “modestus”, so I wonder if we are incorrectly reporting this, due to books data which ‘d be updated, in particular about the red legs which maybe (?) can be found also in the European subsp., in breeding time.

thanks
Andrea Tarozzi

 

[tconzemi]

Dear all,
I wonder if this bird could be a Casmerodius albus modestus (...) in particular about the red legs which maybe (?) can be found also in the European subsp., in breeding time.

thanks
Andrea Tarozzi

Take away the 'maybe (?)´ and you gave the answer.