Egretta tricolor
L 26" (66 cm) W 36" (91 cm).

Song or calls:
A noisy bird. Utters harsh croaks and deep groans.

more images

photo by Phil Swanson

Description: Sexes similar. Adult with white belly and foreneck contrasting with mainly dark blue upperparts; long, slender, dark tipped, yellowish bill. Immature similar with chestnut hindneck and wing coverts.

• Habitat: Migrants associated with marshes and swamps. Rare inland, common inhabitant of salt marshes and mangrove swamps of the east and Gulf coasts.
• Where in Nebraska: Hypothetical in spring. A rare casual summer visitor in central Nebraska.
• Fun Facts: The Tricolored Heron is one of the most abundant herons found in the Deep South, it was formerly called the Louisiana Heron.