We sighted this bird last weekend in the area of Swains Lock. It was the first time I am seeing it on the C&O canal.
Some research suggests that this could be a juvenile White Ibis, one of my remaining reasons for doubt being the color of the tarsi on the bird. If I am correct however, the Smithsonian Field Guide to the Birds of North America suggests that this a somewhat rare appearance in these parts. I wonder if juvenile birds of this kind can get lost.
I would appreciate it if there are any birders out there who can confirm or correct my attempt to identify the bird. From what I read, the ibis belongs to the same family of birds as the stork, and I have seen pictures of storks with similar beaks.
Postscript from December 6th, 2021: I have come across a posting on the Internet that suggests that this could have been a Wood Stork that had lost its way.
Splattered Brains 