Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)
Heron, Egret, and Bittern Family (Ardeidae)
Tricolored Heron is a slim, medium-sized wading bird, reaching 2 ft or more long and a 3 ft wingspan. Its head, long neck, wings, and upperparts are grayish blue, while its belly and foreneck are white. The throat is tinged or striped with chestnut. The long, pointed bill and long legs are olive-brown, with a darker tip to the bill. During the breeding season, it has white plumes on the back of head and chestnut to purplish to tawny plumes on the lower neck and back. Juvenile is similar, but with a chestnut hindneck and wash. Winter adults also may have the chestnut wash. The call includes aaah and scaah and culh-culh, as well as croaks, squawks, and a soft, nasal moaning. Flies with neck coiled. Usually solitary, except for breeding or roosting. Nesting occurs from February to July in mixed species rookeries on coastal islands, marshes, and swamps. Forages by stalking and chasing after prey. Found in shallow freshwater and saltwater habitats, such as swamps, ponds, marshes, wet prairies, mudflats, mangrove islands, and estuaries. Mostly in coastal areas along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. Also known as Louisiana Heron and Blue Crane. Listed as a Species of Concern in AR, FL, NC, NJ, & VA.
Copyright Brett Miley
