Gray heron seen for first time in contiguous U.S

[FfFfFfFF 58,378]

While 18 years old Skyller Kardell was patrolling the beach on September 5, he spotted what initially looked like a great blue heron, a waterbird commonly seen there.

On closer look, something was off—it appeared smaller and paler. “I had my suspicions right from the get-go, but because this identification poses a number of issues, I knew I had to be careful with my excitement,” he says.

This is the first time the species has ever been recorded in the contiguous United States, scientists say. It shows that gray herons are increasing their range and suggests that the species could one day establish a population in the Americas. The find is surprising not only because of the distance this heron must have traveled, but also due to how difficult it is to discern a gray heron from the great blue heron.

And as unexpected as it is, it’s yet one more example of how frequently birds can find themselves in areas outside their range, so-called “vagrant” birds. This is a tendency that scientists are increasingly accepting as a natural part of their biology, rather than a fluke, says Richard Veit, director at the Tuckernuck Land Trust.

Ornithologists don’t know exactly how this bird arrived in Nantucket, though a feather-by-feather photographic analysis done by ornithologist Tom Johnson suggests it’s the same individual spotted in Nova Scotia earlier this summer.

Petersen says the bird most likely arrived by taking a northerly flight from Europe, perhaps hugging the shores of Iceland or Greenland and Canada on its way. Or, it could have flown from western Africa to South America or the Caribbean and come north. Also possible, though less likely, the bird could have “hitched a ride” on a boat from Europe. 

 

Gray heron (first pic) compared to a blue heron (second pic)

Source: National Geographic

[Steccazero 3,453]

Why did I read "gray heroin"? 

[COOOK 76,406]

Just now, Steccazero said:

Why did I read "gray heroin"? 

Well I read-

[Galactic Mess 1,393]

Yasss migrate sis

[calmar 22,799]

Wow, that's pretty exciting! Although I hope it won't have a bad impact on local ecosystems (like competing with the blue heron in some areas.)

[Flora 695]

Wow, what a sweet vagrant. I’ve seen them in Japan, but I would love that for my US life list. 

[Aleks 3,946]

38 minutes ago, Steccazero said:

Why did I read "gray heroin"? 

And I read “Gay Heron”