Hi everyone! New birder here. I saw this bird last year in October in Riverside Park and was wondering if it’s a Great Egret/White Blue Heron? And am I getting that right - that it has two different names? Apparently the black legs and yellow beak may signal that it is? It was much larger than the regular Egret that I’m familiar with.

Also - my husband and I are going to the Azores and have heard that it’s a great birding spot. Any advice for a new birder?