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Reddish Egret

Egretta rufescensOrder: CICONIIFORMESFamily: Bitterns, Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)

Breeding Location:

Marshes, freshwater, Swamps



Breeding Type:

Monogamous, Colonial



Breeding Population:

Rare to uncommon, Increasing gradually



Egg Color:

Pale blue green



Number of Eggs:

2 - 7



Incubation Days:

25 - 26



Egg Incubator:

Both sexes



Nest Material:

Sticks and grasses with little or no lining.



Migration:

Some migrate



Splitbar

Overview

Reddish Egret: Medium egret with blue-gray body and shaggy, pale rufous head and neck. Bill is pink with dark tip. Legs are blue-gray. White morph has all-white plumage, black-tipped pink bill, and blue-gray legs. Feeds on fish, frogs and crustaceans. Direct flight with bouyant steady wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Reddish Egret: Locally resident in extreme southern Florida and along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana; also occurs in Mexico and the West Indies. Preferred habitats include marshes, shallow bays, and lagoons.

Breeding and Nesting

Reddish Egret: Two to seven pale blue-green eggs are laid in a stick nest built in a mangrove, low bush, or on the ground. Incubation ranges from 25 to 26 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

Reddish Egret: Eats fish, frogs, and crustaceans. Forages by wading rapidly in shallow water with wings raised, casting a shadow to cut down on glare.

Vocalization

Reddish Egret: Makes low croaks and soft clucking notes on nesting grounds.

Similar Species

Reddish Egret: Little Blue Heron is smaller, has gray-based bill, and lacks the shaggy neck. Tricolored Heron has a white belly. Other egrets and white herons do not have black-tipped pink bills and blue-gray legs.

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Family Herons and Egrets (Ardeidae)_blue
Species Egretta rufescens
Length27 - 32 Inches
Wingspan46 Inches

Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret: Medium egret with blue-gray body and shaggy, pale rufous head and neck. Bill is pink with dark tip. Legs are blue-gray. White morph has all-white plumage, black-tipped pink bill, and blue-gray legs. Feeds on fish, frogs and crustaceans. Direct flight with bouyant steady wing beats.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & Feeding: Reddish Egret: Eats fish, frogs, and crustaceans. Forages by wading rapidly in shallow water with wings raised, casting a shadow to cut down on glare.

● Breeding & nesting: Reddish Egret: Two to seven pale blue-green eggs are laid in a stick nest built in a mangrove, low bush, or on the ground. Incubation ranges from 25 to 26 days and is carried out by both parents.

● Similar species: Reddish Egret: Little Blue Heron is smaller, has gray-based bill, and lacks the shaggy neck. Tricolored Heron has a white belly. Other egrets and white herons do not have black-tipped pink bills and blue-gray legs.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with buoyant steady wing beats.
Reddish Egret Body Illustration_2
● Range & Habitat: Reddish Egret: Locally resident in extreme southern Florida and along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana; also occurs in Mexico and the West Indies. Preferred habitats include marshes, shallow bays, and lagoons.
BreedingMonogamous, Colonial
PopulationRare to uncommon, Increasing gradually
MigrationSome migrate
Weight15.9 Ounces