Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
garceta rojiza
Voice: soft, short grunt
Status: Locally common resident along the Lower Coast where it is found almost exclusively in expanses of shallow salt water, like the Laguna Madre. Most birds on the mainland side of the Laguna Madre are the dark “reddish” morph, while birds along the barrier islands are predominantly the rarer white morph.
Habitat: Vast expanses of shallow salt water.
Best Spots: Often seen in the Laguna Madre, especially on the bayside loop at Laguna Atascosa NWR and along the bayshore of South Padre Island, especially on the boardwalk at the S.P.I. Convention Center.
Similar Species: Dark morph Reddish Egret is closest to Little Blue Heron, but differs in bill color (Little Blue is two-toned with bluish base), body structure (Reddish Egret is lankier), and behavior. Reddish Egret is usually very active and animated, often chasing fish, leaping into the air, and shading the waters with open wings. White morph birds may superficially resemble Great Egret, but differ in bill and leg color, body structure, behavior, and habitat. Great Egrets may occasionally inhabit salt water environs, but Reddish Egrets are very rarely seen away from coastal salt water expanses.
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 Reddish Egret - Range Map
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