Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
The Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) is a common herons, egrets, and bittern found in 29 countries, weighing about 614 g. 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.
About the Reddish Egret
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.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
This species reaches 68–82 cm (27–32 in) in length, with a 116–125 cm (46–49 in) wingspan. Body mass in this species can range from 364–870 g (0.802–1.918 lb). Among standard linear measurements, the wing chord is 29–34.3 cm (11.4–13.5 in), the tail is 8.8–13 cm (3.5–5.1 in), the bill is 7.3–9.2 cm (2.9–3.6 in) and the tarsus is 11.7–14.7 cm (4.6–5.8 in). It is a medium-sized, long-legged, long-necked heron with a long pointed pinkish bill with a black tip. It is distinctly larger than other co-existing members of the genus Egretta, but smaller than the great blue heron and great egret.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Canada, Peru, Antigua & Barbuda.
When to see it
The Reddish Egret can be seen all year round, with peak activity in April. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Reddish Egret?
- This species reaches 68–82 cm (27–32 in) in length, with a 116–125 cm (46–49 in) wingspan. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Reddish Egret?
- The Reddish Egret is a large sized bird weighing about 614 g.
- Where can you see a Reddish Egret?
- The Reddish Egret occurs in 29 countries, including the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and Caribbean Netherlands.
- What birds look similar to a Reddish Egret?
- The Reddish Egret is most easily confused with the Pacific Reef Heron, the Western Reef Heron and the Black Heron.
- Is the Reddish Egret endangered?
- The Reddish Egret is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the Reddish Egret for real
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