What is this bird?

[nozh2002]

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Straygator]

My first guess is that it's a very young Night Heron.

 

[Straygator]

I'm wrong...nevermind.

 

[Morrow]

It would help to give the location where the picture was taken.

 

[mycroftt]

How big is it? What's the location? Did it make any sound? My first thought was some kind of rail.

 

[Alex p. Schorsc]

I would say that it is a BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON female. Especially if you are in North America.

 

[mwerner]

I agree. Certainly looks like a heron. We have the "green heron" here locally, and it looks pretty much identical save for coloration.
He'll likely not find much fodder in that wading pool...

 

[mycroftt]

My first guess is that it's a very young Night Heron.

I'm wrong...nevermind.

Actually, I think you are right. I'm not sure which heron but I'm pretty sure its an immature heron.

 

[Lycosa]

You're right. Imm. Night Heron.

 

[Brian Jones]

That's a Night Heron, but it's a young juvenile. The colors on the head will change and become more uniform as it gets older.

 

[kneedeep]

If you photographed it in California, it is most likely a juvenile Black-Crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax).

In the eastern US there is also a Yellow-Crowned Night Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) that looks very similar as a juvenile (smaller light speckles on the back).

As Brian mentioned, it's color pattern will look different as an adult.

Link to more info about the Black-Crowned Night Heron.

 

[nozh2002]

It is in California - Bay Area.

more pics:

I hope it will came back when it will grown up. Beautiful bird!

Thanks, Vassili.

 

[Brian Jones]

Those are fantastic pictures, Nozh!

 

[infobound1]

Cool shots looks like the little guy is having a ball!

 

[Brian Jones]

Looks like he's in process of learning. "Where are the damn fish? I see water, but no damn fish?!!"

 

[kneedeep]

If you stock your "pond", and he has a lot of luck fishing there, you can be pretty sure he'll come back.

 

[Danelle O'Shea]

Great photos. Keep us posted on if he (she?) continues to hang around.