| Case Summary for:
Submission No 368: Grey Heron Ardea cinerea. Busselton, WA.
20th May 2002. Published; Western Australian Bird Notes, Vol 103, September
2002 Verdict: Accepted This case relates to the sighting of a Grey Heron from Busselton, WA on the 20th May 2002. The bird was seen and photographed by a number of observers and the account subsequently published in the Western Australian Bird Notes. Volume 103, September 2002. The description although brief certainly describes the species claimed and photographs serve to verify the identity conclusively. In particular the yellow bill, white forehead and crown, the extent of black between the bill and the back of the head, white cheeks, long white plumes on the neck, black shoulders & flanks and the mid-grey wing coverts are all consistent and suggest an adult bird. Due to subtle variations and differences between the most likely races a firm conclusion regarding the subspecies could not be reached. The provenance of the bird was discussed and chance of it being an escapee was considered. Local research revealed that this species has never been kept in captivity in Western Australia and that genuine vagrancy from Asia more likely. The committee accepted the record unanimously as a first for Australia. A subsequent report from Geraldton may relate to the same individual.
· Beaman, M. & Madge S. 1998. The Handbook of Bird Identification
for Europe and the Western Palearctic, Princeton, New Jersey. Tony Palliser
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