H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

I had a wonderful vacation with my family last week. We drove to the west coast of Florida where we have gone many times because we love the beaches and tropical sun.

We planned this trip the following way: Dividing the day so we could enjoy the wonderful  Gulf of Mexico’s clear waters and white sand beaches, also have some time for me to shoot pictures of birds, I know some places which I consider are hot spots for birds. Then at night we enjoyed going out for stroll to the pier and wait for the sun to set. We enjoyed every minute of our well deserved R&R.

The Reddish Egret is a small heron. It is a resident breeder in Central America, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and Mexico. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range. In the past, this bird was a victim of the plume trade.

It is a medium-sized, long-legged, long-necked heron with a long pointed pinkish bill with a black tip. The legs and feet are bluish-black. The sexes are similar, but there are two color morphs. The adult dark morph has a slate blue body and reddish head and neck with shaggy plumes. The adult white morph has completely white body plumage. Young birds have a brown body, head, and neck. During mating, the males plumage stands out in a ruff on its head, neck and back.

The Reddish Egret is considered one of the most active herons, and is often seen on the move. It stalks its prey visually in shallow water far more actively than other herons and egrets, frequently running energetically and using the shadow of its wings to reduce glare on the water once it is in position to spear a fish; the result is a fascinating dance.

Here are some photos of the Reddish Egret for you!. Enjoy!

Text and photographs © HJ Ruiz – Avian101