Identify Mystery Bird in South Carolina

  • Thread starter Thread starter jtbell
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bird
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around identifying a mystery bird observed in South Carolina, focusing on its characteristics and possible species. Participants explore various hypotheses regarding the bird's identity based on limited visual evidence and geographical context.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Debate/contested, Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests the bird could be a Great Blue Heron, based on its morphology and the geographic area.
  • Another participant mentions the possibility of it being a Great White Heron, noting that while it typically ranges from Florida to Texas, it can stray northward.
  • A different participant agrees that it resembles a heron or crane but rules out cranes due to specific characteristics, leaning towards a heron identification.
  • One participant notes the bird's scraggly appearance and mentions the lack of nearby water bodies, speculating that it might be migrating and resting.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that the bird is likely a heron, but there is no consensus on the specific species. Multiple competing views regarding the identification remain unresolved.

Contextual Notes

The discussion is limited by the lack of clear photographic evidence and the participants' reliance on morphological characteristics and geographical context for identification.

jtbell
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Homework Helper
2025 Award
Messages
16,107
Reaction score
8,130
I saw this while walking home today:

bird.jpg

I've seen it or one of its friends/relatives occasionally in the same area, over the years. It has a broad wingspan when flying. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough to get a picture while it was in the air, and I couldn't get very close to it.

This is in South Carolina, about 150 miles / 250 km inland from the Atlantic coast.
 

Attachments

  • bird.jpg
    bird.jpg
    89.8 KB · Views: 917
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 256bits
Biology news on Phys.org
WIfe says "Oh, that's a Great Blue Heron!" When the geographic area was mentioned, "It could be one of the other Herons, but I think it's a Grreat Blue." " It's hard to tell for sure because the head can't be seen very well." We are on the West coast so the Great Blue is the default. Further research shows it may be a Great White, which is mostly in Florida to Texas but strays as far North as New Jersey. The white legs in the photo indicate a White. The Heron declaration is based on overall body morphology and especially on the shape of the bill.

So, lacking a better photo, that's the 'current best guess'.
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: 256bits
Tom.G said:
So, lacking a better photo, that's the 'current best guess'.
Lol... Your wife's current 'best guess' is way better than Google's 'best guess' ...
 
It looks like a heron or a crane due to the size and shape.
Cranes are either whooping or sandhill, in NA, and it doesn't look like either, with no markings on the head, and the color of plumage.
So I go with a heron also.

Looks kinda scraggly for some reason.
 
Looks like a heron is the best bet for now. Thanks! I remember seeing them in more waterlogged areas, but we don't have much water nearby, just a few ponds. The nearest lake of any size is about 15 miles away. Maybe it's just migrating and stopped to rest.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Replies
28
Views
8K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
9K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
10K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
5K