A spectacular medium-sized heron — adults have reddish neck and dark body (or dark phase: all gray). Known for "dancing" while hunting — running, twirling, spreading wings.
§ Quick facts
§ Encyclopedia
The reddish egret is a medium-sized heron that is a resident breeder in Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and Mexico. The egret is known for its unusual foraging behavior compared to other herons as well as its association with mud flats, its habitat of choice.
Source: Wikipedia — Reddish egret Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
§ Identification
Field marks. Shaggy-necked heron in two morphs: dark morph slate-gray with a reddish head and neck; white morph all white. Both show a bicolored pink-and-black bill when breeding.
Similar species. Other herons feed sedately; the Reddish Egret's wild running-and-spinning dance is diagnostic. White morph differs from other white herons by the pink-based bill and behavior.
Voice. Low guttural croaks and groans; generally quiet.
§ Diet & behavior
Diet. Fish, amphibians, small reptiles, occasional small mammals.
Behavior. A medium heron of coastal tidal flats famous for its frenetic 'canopy feeding' — dashing, spinning, and raising its wings to herd and shade fish before striking.
§ Range
Gulf Coast and Florida
§ Habitat
Coastal mudflats, lagoons, saltwater shallows
§ Threats
Coastal habitat loss, sea-level rise.
§ Conservation status
According to the IUCN Red List, the reddish egret is currently classified as Near Threatened.
§ What helps
Support coastal preserves. Donate to The Nature Conservancy coastal programs.
§ Further reading
- Wikipedia — Reddish egret
- www.allaboutbirds.org — authoritative profile of Egretta rufescens
- IUCN Red List — search for Egretta rufescens
- GBIF occurrence records
- Encyclopedia of Life — Egretta rufescens
§ Sources cited
- Cornell Lab of Ornithology — All About Birds
- National Audubon Society
- iNaturalist
- IUCN Red List
