Tricolored Heron Reflection

The tricolored heron used to be called the Louisiana heron. While it is frequently found in swamps, marshes, bayous, and ponds in Louisiana it can also be found in other gulf states, Mexico, Central America and Northern South America. This might be part of the reason why the name was changed. This heron was photographed in the Ding Darling NWR in Florida.

Tricolored Heron

One bird that we do not see here in Minnesota is the tricolored heron. These birds are smaller then the great blue herons that we do get in Minnesota. In the summer they are found mostly around the Atlantic and Gulf coast of North America. During winter the birds in the northern portions of the range migrate down to the Gulf Coast, Central America and the northern portions of South America.

In the US these birds were once called the Louisiana heron. They typically live in sub-tropical swamp habitats where they hunt fish, crustaceans, amphibians and insects by wading through the water. They typically nest in colonies often mixed in with other species of herons and egrets. I photographed this tricolored heron on South Padre Island in Texas last March.

Herons and Egrets

There seemed to be a little bit of confusion with the birds that I featured in my post yesterday, so I decided that today I would try and help clear things up. This first bird, pictured above, is called a little blue heron. The little blue heron stands at about 24 inches with a 40 inch wingspan. One of the primary field markings that help distinguish this bird from other herons is the two toned slate blue and black bill.

This next bird is the tricolored heron. It stands at about 26 inches with a 36 inch wingspan. The tricolored heron has a thinner and longer neck then the little blue heron. The tricolored is the only heron that has a dark breast and white belly and it is the only heron with red eyes other then the night herons, which do not have long necks.

The reddish egret looks similar to the little blue except that it is larger, standing at around 30 inches with a 46 inch wingspan. The reddish egret also has a two toned bill, like the little blue heron, but it is pink with a black tip. They can also be distinguished by the way that they forage for food. The little blue moves quietly through the water with its head tipped forward ready to strike while the reddish egret runs around almost frantically often jumping and flapping its wings.

I hope this post clears up any questions that anyone had.