Clements describes two North American races of Great Blue Heron. Ardea herodius herodius and Ardea herodias fannini. The former, nominate, subspecies is supposedly the coastal Oregon and California race down to Baja, whereas the former, fannini occupies the northern coast from Alaska to Washington State. Can anyone confirm, or rather does anyone have the vaguest clue?whether the Wilamette and Lower Columbia birds are fannini or herodias? The NW borderland herons seem superficially cooler and less bright?blue-red than California birds, which makes me guess them as fannini, but I have no idea.

Many thanks,
Blake Matheson
Carmel California & Portland Oregon