Adult Tricolored Heron at Famosa Slough, Nov. 19, 10AM

Keith and I were looking at the main Famosa Slough pond from the
viewing area near the northeast corner when this bird suddenly walked
into our view, only about 25' away at the edge of the water below us.
All slate blue on top with white underside; very long thin pointed bill;
upper bill appeared black (mud?) and lower was yellow; big bright yellow
area behind bill and around the eye; yellow-green legs; patterned white
and dark all down the front of the neck. I did not notice any of the
expected light tan feathering on the back. I didn't see any chestnut
coloring expected on a juvenile. (The bird flew after a few minutes,
and I was so occupied with trying, unsuccessfully, to send this from my
phone that I didn't see where it went.)

I checked eBird and found no reports at the slough or the San Diego
River channel since mid-October, when a hatch-year bird was present. I
don't know when or how fast they molt to adult plumage. A new adult
bird? Or a now-adult juvenile seen previously?

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Sara Baase Mayers
Point Loma (San Diego)
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Source: SanDiegoRegionBirding Latest Reports