Tricolored Heron, Egretta tricolor
This attractive heron is a regular but very rare visitor to Tennessee in the spring, summer, and fall. The Tricolored Heron was formerly known as the Louisiana Heron, though its range extends along the Atlantic coast from New Jersey southward to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America. It spends the winters over most of this range.
Description: This medium-sized heron has a long, slender neck and bill, a dark grayish-blue back, a grayish-blue neck with a narrow white line in front, and a white belly. Males and females look the same.
Length: 26"
Wingspan: 36"
Weight: 13 oz.
Similar Species:
- Adult Little Blue Herons are overall grayish blue, and lack a white belly.
- Great Blue Herons are much larger, have a paler neck and lack the white belly.
Habitat: In Tennessee, found along lakes, rivers, and ponds.
Diet: Mostly fish.
Nesting and reproduction: There are no known nesting records for this species in Tennessee.
Status in Tennessee: Extremely rare visitor in spring, summer or fall, across Tennessee. In April 2009, one was found at the Gallatin Steam Plant, Sumner County.
Dynamic map of Tricolored Heron eBird observations in Tennessee
