Herons and egrets are wading birds that are commonly found in coastal areas. Following is a list of the most common herons and egrets of the Eastern United States.
Common herons and egrets come in different sizes, shapes, and colors. Most of these are wading birds that stalk fish and crustaceans in the shallow waters of rivers, ponds, lakes, sounds, and bays. Following are some of the most common wading birds of America's eastern states. All of the birds listed spear fish with their bills.
Great Blue Heron, the Largest Wading Bird in America in the Heron Family
Great blue herons (Ardea herodias) grow to about 46 inches in length. They have grayish-blue bodies with light gray necks, white facial areas, and black plume head feathers. These birds can be found in every continental state, and they live year round in the Southeast. Great blue herons hunt for fish in fresh and saltwater, and are often seen wading or flying with their necks folded back. There is also a white morph of the great blue heron, which looks much like the great egret, except it is larger, and has plume feathers on the head. Great blues utter a raven-like croak, sounding like "frank," particularly in flight.
Great Egret, a Common Wading Bird of America's Coastal Waters
Great egrets (Ardea alba) grow to about 39 inches in length. These birds are the largest of all white wading birds, and they are mostly found near the coast wading for crustaceans and small fish. Great egrets do not have crests or plumes, and they have yellow bills and dark legs.
Snowy Egrets, Common Small Egrets
Snow egrets (Egretta thula) are about 24 inches long, and they are easily identified. These birds have all white feathers, and crest plumes on the back of their heads. They have very noticeable black legs and yellow feet, and are much smaller than the great egrets, with whom they share the same habitat. Snowy egrets are also mainly found close to the coast, and not so much inland.
Tricolored Heron, a Common Coastal Wading Bird of America's East
Tricolored herons (Egretta tricolor) grow to about 26 inches in length, and they are mainly found in coastal areas, although at times they move inland to hunt fish in freshwater. These birds are purplish-blue, and have white bellies. Thy are the only dark colored heron that has crest plumes and white undersides (the little blue heron, not as common, lacks both).
Green Heron, a Common Wading Bird in Freshwater Areas
Green herons (Butorides virescens) are common along rivers and lakes in the Eastern United States. These birds grow to about 18 inches in length, and they have reddish-brown necks, gray bodies, and greenish backs. Adults have orange legs, and hunting birds often perch, crouched, on sticks just above the water, and from there, they jolt their heads down into the water when small fish pass too close. Green herons can be heard croaking "skew, skew."
Although there are many other related birds, such as reddish egrets, little blue herons, cattle egrets, and black-crowned and white-crowned night herons, the above birds are the most common herons and egrets of the east. They are also among the most common wading birds of America's eastern states.
Great post. Definitely an eye opener.
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