Bird Gallery Index

Tricolored Heron (breeding plumage) image © John Nelson

Family:  (Ardeidae) Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns

Preferred Habitat: Marshes.

Seasonal Occurrence: Common in all seasons. Nests in our area.

Notes: Tricolored Herons are slender, mid-sized herons, somewhat similar in appearance to Little Blue Herons. But unlike Little Blues, Tricolored Herons have white underparts and chestnut backs. Their bills are normally yellow, but become vivid blue in breeding plumage. Males and females look alike. Young Tricolored Herons have bright chestnut necks and heads. Look for Tricolored Herons in marshes along the coast. They breed at the Rookery at Smith Oaks Sanctuary where this photo was taken.
- Susan Billetdeaux