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Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

Description:

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) hunting and calling at Anhinga Trail, Everglades National Park, Florida.

Habitat:

The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) formerly known in North America as the Louisiana Heron, is a small heron. It is a resident breeder from the Gulf states of the USA and northern Mexico south through Central America and the Caribbean to central Brazil and Peru. There is some post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range. Tricolored Heron's breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, 3–7 eggs are typically laid. This species is about 56 cm (22 in) long, with a 96 cm (38 in) wingspan and weighs 350 g (12 oz). 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. Tricolored Heron stalks its prey in shallow or deeper water, often running as it does so. It eats fish, crustaceans, reptiles, and insects. (credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tricolored_.........)

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3 Comments

alicelongmartin
alicelongmartin 12 years ago

Beautiful pictures!

annorion
annorion 12 years ago

I agree pic four with the ruffled feathers is a beautiful capture!

LauraMaria
LauraMaria 12 years ago

What a great spot, such a beautiful heron! I've never seen one of these before. I love the photo where his feathers are all ruffled :) Thanks for sharing!

JackEng
Spotted by
JackEng

Homestead, Florida, USA

Spotted on Dec 3, 2009
Submitted on Jan 17, 2012

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Little Blue Heron American Purple Gallinule Anhinga Green Heron

Reference

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