Reddish Egrets

The Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) is a medium-sized member of the heron family. They typically measure 27–32” in length, with a wingspan of 46–49”, and weighing 0.8–1.9 lbs. In the United States, they can be found in Florida and on the Gulf coast of Texas.

There are two color morphs of the Reddish Egret, a dark morph which has a grey body and shaggy reddish-orange neck and head, and a rarer white morph with all white plumage. Both adults have a pink bill with a black tip and the white morph juveniles have a nearly all black beak. Dark morph and white morph Reddish Egrets will often interbreed.

A dark morph Reddish Egret and its perfect reflection.

A white morph Reddish Egret raises its head feathers in warning.

Reddish Egrets are active feeders, running back and forth and often lifting and flapping their wings as if ready to take flight. They also do ‘canopy feeding’ where they lift their wings over their head to form an umbrella-like structure which reduces glare on the water and creates a shady environment which attracts fish.

A dark morph Reddish Egrets shows off its hunting moves including the 'canopy feeding' pose . A mated pair of white morphs interact, and an adult and juvenile hunt for prey..

I photographed the dark morph Reddish Egrets at Merritt Island NWR in Florida, during an overcast morning and again in the same spot that afternoon when the sun came out. It was so much fun watching the feeding frenzy! The white morph Reddish Egrets were photographed in south Texas.

I just love this grumpy looking pose!

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