Tri-colored Heron

Description:

This species measures from 56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in) long, and has a wingspan of 96 cm (38 in).[1] The slightly larger male heron weighs 415 g (14.6 oz) on average, while the female averages 334 g (11.8 oz).[2] It is a medium-large, long-legged, long-necked heron with a long pointed yellowish or greyish bill with a black tip. The legs and feet are dark. Adults have a blue-grey head, neck, back and upperwings, with a white line along the neck. The belly is white. In breeding plumage, they have long blue filamentous plumes on the head and neck, and buff ones on the back.

Habitat:

Generally found near salt water during breeding season, with small populations found on scattered inland lakes, reservoirs, rivers, marshes, and sloughs.

Notes:

Found this bird on White Rock Lake in Dallas Texas. I was able to see two different types of heron that I had never seen before in the wild, this Tri-colored Heron and the yellow-crowned night heron. I will be putting the yellow crowned night heron spotting up sometime soon, I would suspect.