An Aberrant Ashy-plumaged Little Egret Egretta garzetta in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India

Abstract

An unusual Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) showing uniformly ashy-grey plumage was documented at Anasagar Lake, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India. The individual was observed and photographed on 15 December 2025 and 29 May 2026 during opportunistic bird-watching surveys using visual encounter and line-transect walking approaches. The bird retained key Little Egret characters, including a slender black bill, black legs, yellow feet and elongated plumes, while displaying a smooth grey-to-ashy tone across the head, neck, mantle, wings and underparts. The repeated observation across two dates, bright light conditions and absence of patchy soiling or localised marks reduce the likelihood of a single photographic artefact or temporary environmental staining. The field evidence is most consistent with a dilution-like plumage aberration, although this interpretation remains provisional because feather-level examination, genetic analysis, biometric assessment and long-term monitoring were not conducted. Dark or intermediate morph expression and possible hybrid origin, particularly with Indian Reef Heron, are also considered as alternative explanations. This record adds to the growing field documentation of unusual avian plumage phenotypes from Rajasthan and underscores the value of verifiable photographs and citizen-science records in identifying rare colour variation. Further repeated observations and, where feasible, feather or genetic studies are needed to clarify the mechanism and prevalence of such phenotypes in Indian Little Egret populations.