Egrets

Egrets belong to the same family (Ardeidae) as herons and bitterns. In fact, egrets are simply herons with white plumage. They are elegant, long-legged wading birds with long, S-shaped necks. They have long, pointed bills that are useful for catching fish, frogs, crustaceans, insects, and mice. Egrets common to the south Florida area include the Cattle Egret, Great Egret, Reddish Egret, and the Snowy Egret.

Cattle Egret - Bubulicus ibis

Great Egret - Casmerodius albus

Reddish Egret - Egretta rufescens

This species exists in two completely different colors. They do not change from one color to the other, but remain the same color throughout their lives. The dark type has a slate gray body with rusty head and neck. The light type is entirely white in color. Both types have flesh-colored black-tipped bills and blue-gray legs. The dark type appears more frequently in Florida, while the light type appears more often along the Texas coast.

Snowy Egret - Egretta thula