Tricolored Heron

Egretta tricolor

The Tricolored Heron, also known as the Louisiana Heron, is a slender, medium-sized heron with a distinctive blue-gray back, white belly, and a tricolored head and neck. During breeding season, it develops long, lacy plumes on its back and neck. This species is commonly found in coastal marshes, estuaries, and lagoons, where it forages for fish, crustaceans, and insects. Tricolored Herons are known for their graceful movements as they stalk prey in shallow water, often using their wings to create shade to attract fish. They are colonial nesters, often breeding in mixed-species colonies. The conservation status of the Tricolored Heron is of Least Concern according to the IUCN Red List.

Habitat: Coastal marshes, estuaries, and lagoons