Proposal (309) to South American Classification Committee

Add Ardea purpurea (Purple Heron) to main list

Effect on South American CL: This transfers a species from the Hypothetical List to the Main List.

Background: The Hypothetical List currently reads as follows: "Sight record from Fernando de Noronha island, Brazil (Teixeira et al. 1987, Nacinovic & Teixeira 1987, 1989) One photographed on Trinidad 24 Sept.-10 Oct. 2002 (Kenefick 2004); photos available at http://geocites.com/secaribbirds/ttpurpleheron.html. Photos now published in Kenefick & Hayes (2006)."

Published photographic record from Trinidad: On 24 September 2002, M. Kenefick found an immature in a freshwater marsh at Caroni, Trinidad, where it was relocated repeatedly by various observers and photographed by Graham White until 10 October 2002. It was accepted by the Trinidad and Tobago Rare Bird Committee (TTRBC 2002-34), which had access to the photo. The rather grainy photo now published by Kenefick and Hayes (2006) reveals a heron not substantially larger than a Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) with a long, dark malar stripe and (in the pdf file but not the print version) extensive reddish-brown coloring in the neck which, combined with other morphological and plumage traits provided in Kenefick's original description, distinguish it from other Ardea herons.

Literature Cited:

KENEFICK, M., AND F. E. HAYES. 2006. Trans-Atlantic vagrancy of Palearctic birds in Trinidad and Tobago. Journal of Caribbean Ornithology 19:61-72.

Floyd Hayes, Sept. 2007

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Comments from Stiles: "YES. I will accept the arguments of Hayes and the TTRBC - and nothing else fits the description."

Comments from Robbins: "YES to all four new records for South America. Identifications appear straightforward and I see no issues concerning provenance."

Comments from Nores: "YES, aunque la propuesta no es muy convincente. La foto de Kenefick & Hayes (2006) está muy poco clara y difícil de identificar, más tratándose de un inmaduro. Hay que confiar en lo que dicen los autores y que fue aprobado por el TTRBC."

Comments from Jaramillo: "YES - Identification is solid."

Comments from Zimmer: "YES -- ID is solid."