Reddish Egret
Egretta rufescens
The Reddish Egret is Florida’s most animated wading bird and a specialist of shallow coastal flats.
The Reddish Egret is Florida’s most animated wading bird and a specialist of shallow coastal flats.
The dark morph has a slate body and shaggy reddish head and neck. The white morph is entirely white. Both have a pink bill with a dark tip and blue-gray legs.
Famous for an energetic feeding dance that includes running, spinning, jumping, and spreading its wings to shade the water.
Harmless to people. Give feeding birds space and stay well away from nesting islands.
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and listed as State Threatened in Florida. Harassment and nest disturbance are prohibited.
Habitat:
Estuaries and Bays, Mangroves and Salt Marshes
Area / Range:
South Florida, Florida Keys, Atlantic Coast, Gulf Coast
Diet:
Small fish and other shallow-water prey.
Behavior:
Famous for an energetic feeding dance that includes running, spinning, jumping, and spreading its wings to shade the water.
Daytime
Active Times:
Best time to see:
Low tide during morning or late afternoon
Florida Native Status:
Native
Conservation Status:
State Threatened in Florida
Safety Level:
Observe From a Distance
Safety Information:
Harmless to people. Give feeding birds space and stay well away from nesting islands.
Benefits to Property:
Adds exceptional wildlife value to protected shorelines and helps maintain balanced shallow-water food webs.
Property Concerns:
Coastal development, human disturbance, sea-level rise, and loss of mangrove nesting habitat create pressure.
Fun Fact:
Florida hosts both dark and white color forms of the same species.
Wildlife Laws:
Protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and listed as State Threatened in Florida. Harassment and nest disturbance are prohibited.
Identification:
The dark morph has a slate body and shaggy reddish head and neck. The white morph is entirely white. Both have a pink bill with a dark tip and blue-gray legs.