Need your help...

I shot this bird early this week and I don't know its name. Any help will be much appreciated!

BTW, this was captured in Bolsa Chica by the wooden bridge.

Although I've never seen a juvenile, I'd guess a young American bittern.

Stumped the hell outta me; I'm curious to know, too!

@Al: Normally, I'm inclined to agree with your IDs, but this one seems off. The bill on this little one doesn't look like the normal, heron-family schnozz...theirs go all the way back to the eye whereas this one stops short. The legs also look 'off' for it to be a Bittern...looks more like it may a juvenile Rail of some flavor (Virginia or Clapper).

I'm thinking it's a juvenile rail too, but don't know which.

Snydremark wrote in post #17595443
Stumped the hell outta me; I'm curious to know, too!

@Al: Normally, I'm inclined to agree with your IDs, but this one seems off. The bill on this little one doesn't look like the normal, heron-family schnozz...theirs go all the way back to the eye whereas this one stops short. The legs also look 'off' for it to be a Bittern...looks more like it may a juvenile Rail of some flavor (Virginia or Clapper).

You would be in error to believe a lot of my IDs, I'm afraid. LOL I just went by the bill shape, since I've seen adult bittern bills up close.

I think maybe a juvenile Clapper Rail.