Tricolored heron Egretta tricolor

Identification Tips:

• Sexes similar
• Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader
• Bill fairly long and pointed
• Variably yellowish or blue-gray bill with black tip
• Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight
• White belly and foreneck

Adult:

• Blue-gray head, neck, back and upperwings
• White line along foreneck
• In alternate plumage, long blue filamentous plumes about head and neck, and buff ones on the back

Immature:

• Rich chestnut head and neck
• Chestnut feathering on blue-gray back

Similar species:

No other dark herons have a contrasting white belly.