Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns of Northeast North America: An ID Guide

This guide offers a comprehensive look into the herons, egrets, and bitterns inhabiting the Northeast Region of North America! It features detailed species accounts with information on identification, habitat, range, behavior, food, nesting, breeding, lifespan, population status, conservation concerns, and audio recordings of herons’ calls. The accounts are accompanied by custom-made identification plates, making it a valuable resource. In this guide, the Northeast Region of North America encompasses the states of: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It also includes the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia.

Species Featured: Guide to the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns of the Northeast Region

• Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias): Largest North American heron; heavy bill, vocal. Includes a white morph.
• Great Egret (Ardea alba): Slender, very long neck, yellow bill.
• Snowy Egret (Egretta thula): Small, slender; black bill, yellow face, black legs, bright yellow feet.
• Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor): Slender, long-necked; very long, slender bill; white belly, dark upperparts.
• Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea): Slender; faint bicolored bill; white juvenile plumage, piebald subadult.
• Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis): Smallest white egret; short neck; often near livestock in highlands.
• Green Heron (Butorides virescens): Small, stocky; dark plumage, pointy bill, crouches near water.
• American Bittern (Botaurus lentiginosus): Large, secretive; cryptic plumage, long neck, pointed bill.
• Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis): Tiny, secretive; buffy and black plumage, moves in dense vegetation.
• Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax): Stocky, short neck, nocturnal; thick bill, mainly eats fish.
• Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea): Slender, longer neck, nocturnal; stout black bill, feeds on crabs.

Note: Many people find it tricky to tell the white herons and egrets apart. For help with identification, see my guide: North American White Egrets and Herons: An Identification Guide

Herons and Egrets: Understanding the Difference

The distinction between “heron” and “egret” is primarily based on traditional naming conventions and visual appearance, particularly plumage color, rather than strict biological classifications. There is no particular set of characters that differentiates one group from the other.

Taxonomic Reality:

From a taxonomic perspective, both herons and egrets belong to the Ardeidae family. Therefore, egrets are, technically, a type of heron, and vice versa. There is no clear-cut scientific division that definitively separates all “herons” from all “egrets.” In fact, the Great Egret (a purely white-plumaged bird) is taxonomically more closely related to the Great Blue Heron than it is to other white-plumaged egrets.

Traditional Naming Conventions:

Historically, the term “egret” has been used to describe members of the Ardeidae family that typically have white plumage, especially those that develop long, decorative plumes during breeding season, such as the Great Egret and Snowy Egret. In contrast, “heron” is often used for the larger, non-white members of the family.

Exceptions to the Rule:

However, this is not a strict rule, and there are many exceptions. For example:

• The Little Blue Heron is white only as a juvenile, transitioning to a dark gray-blue as an adult.
• The Reddish Egret exhibits both a white color morph and a dark color morph.
• The Great Blue Heron also has a white color morph, as well as individuals with intermediate plumage.

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The 11 species of herons, egrets, and bitterns that occur in the Northeast Region

Great Blue Heron

Identification: Largest North American heron with long legs, sinuous neck, and dagger-like bill. Blue-gray plumage with a black stripe over the eye. Head, chest, and wing plumes give a shaggy appearance. White morph individuals are restricted to the Florida keys.
Habitat: Freshwater and saltwater habitats such as marshes, grasslands, isolated swamps, lakes, and ponds bordered by forests. They also forage in meadows and farmland.
Range: The Great Blue Herons are a year-round resident throughout all states of USA’s Northeast States. It is also a year-round resident in all of Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia Provinces of Canada. The Great Blue Herons is also a breeding visitor (mid May-mid July) throughout the southern half of Quebec and Ontario provinces where it also expands further north only as a migrant visitor.
Migration: The Great-blue Heron migrates to Quebec and Ontario Provinces during the month of mid May-mid July and migrates south during the Fall and Winter months mid July through December.
Behavior: They wade slowly or stand still, stalking prey in shallow water or open fields. In flight, the neck is tucked in, and legs trail behind. They defend feeding territories with dramatic displays.
Diet: Fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and other birds. They grab smaller prey or impale larger fish with their bills. 
Nest: A simple platform made of small sticks in trees. They can also nest on the ground, bushes, mangroves, and structures usually in mixed-species colonies of  500 or more nests.
Breeding: Breeding months: Mid March-Mid August | Clutch Size: 2-6 eggs | Number of Broods: 1-2 | Egg color: Pale blue | Incubation Period: 27-29 days | Nestling Period: 49-81 days.
Lifespan: The Great Blue Heron lives at least 24 years and 6 months.
How many are there?: The global breeding population is estimated to be 700,000.
Conservation: Great Blue Heron numbers are stable and increased in the U.S. between 1966 and 2019. They are of low conservation concern.

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Great Egret

Identification: Tall, long black legs, all white plumage with an S-curved neck and yellow bill. Smaller than a Great Blue Heron, larger than a Snowy Egret. It grows long plumes from its back during the breeding season.
Habitat: Freshwater, brackish, and marine wetlands.
Range: The Great Egret is a year-round resident in the southeast half of Virginia. It is a breeding visitor from mid May through September in the coastal areas of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. It is only a nonbreeding visitor to the states of New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, up state New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, part of Kentucky and West Virginia, Nova Scotia, and extreme southern Ontario and Quebec in Canada.
Migration: Great Egrets migrate north to the breeding grounds visiting northern states between mid May through September. From October to mid May they migrate south.
Behavior: Wades in shallow water to hunt, typically standing still and watching for prey, then strikes with a jab of its neck and bill. 
Diet: Mainly small fish, but also amphibians, reptiles, birds, small mammals, and invertebrates.
Nest: A platform made of sticks and twigs, up to 3 feet across in or near the top of a shrub or tree. Breeds in colonies with other egrets and herons.
Breeding: Breeding months: Late March-July | Clutch Size: 1-6 eggs, Number of Broods/year: 1-2. | Egg Description: Pale greenish-blue | Incubation Period: 23-27 days | Nestling Period: 21-25 days.
Lifespan: The oldest known Great Egret was 22 years, 10 months old.
How many are there?: Approximately 9.5 million breeding birds on the continent.
Conservation: The Great Egret is considered a species of low concern. Populations are increasing.  

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Snowy Egret

Identification: All white with a black bill, black legs, and yellow feet. Immatures are similar with duller, greenish legs. During the breeding season, they grow filmy, curving plumes.
Habitat: They can be found in all types of fresh, salt and brackish water wetlands. 
Range: The Snowy Egret is a breeding visitor from of mid May through July to the coastal region of Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts and part of Nova Scotia in Canada. It is rare or absent from northern New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, most of upstate New York, and Pennsylvania. It is only a spring and summer visitor in Ohio, part of Kentucky, and West Virginia. It is not known to occur in most of Canada.
Migration: Snowy egrets migrate north during the Spring and Summer months but migrate south or to coastal areas in the Northeast during the Fall and Winter months.
Behavior: Wades in shallow water to spear fish. They may run back and forth chasing their prey or use their bright yellow feet to paddle in the water or probe in the mud, rounding up prey before striking with their bill.
Diet: Mostly small fish and other animals, including frogs, worms, crustaceans, and insects.
Nest: A shallow, loosely woven platform of twigs 14–18 inches across. The nest is usually over water in the top or outer branches of shrubs or trees.
Breeding: Breeding months: Mid March- July | Clutch Size: 2-6 eggs | Egg color: Pale greenish blue | Incubation Period: 24-25 days | Nestling Period: 20-24 days.
Lifespan: The Snowy Egret lives for at least 17 years, 7 months.
How many are there?: Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 2.1 million.
Conservation: The Snowy Egret is a bird of low conservation concern. Their biggest continuing threat is habitat loss.

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Tricolored Heron

Identification: A medium-sized, slim heron with blue-gray, lavender upperparts and white belly, dagger-like bill. Breeding birds have pale plumes. Juveniles have a rusty neck and rusty-edged feathers.
Habitat: Coastal estuaries, saltmarshes, mangroves, freshwater marshes, lagoons and ditches.
Range: The Tricolored Heron is a year-round resident along the coast of the states of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. In these states, it appears to be closely associated with habitats along the coast and adjacent areas without going further inland. It is not known to occur in Canada.
Migration: In the Northeast Region, the Tricolored Heron is a year-round resident.
Behavior: The Tricolored Heron is skilled at stalking, chasing, and standing still to capture its prey. It often pirouettes with sharp stops and flapping wings.
Diet: Eats mostly small fish and other small vertebrates. 
Nest: A bulky platform in a shady tree or shrub up to 13 feet above ground or water. Nests in colonies with other herons and egrets.
Breeding: Breeding months: Late May-July | Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs | Number of Broods: 1 | Egg appearance: Pale greenish blue | Incubation Period: 21-24 days | Nestling Period: 17-21 days.
Lifespan: The oldest recorded Tricolored Heron lived at least 17 years and 8 months.
How many are there?: The U.S. breeding population is approx. 194,000 birds.
Conservation: The Tricolored Heron is considered to be of low conservation concern.

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Little Blue Heron

Identification: Adults are dark blue-gray with a purple-maroon head and neck. They have greenish legs, and a pale gray and black bill. Juveniles are entirely white. Immatures are a patchy mix of white and blue.
Habitat: Little Blue Herons can be found in marshes, swamps,  ponds, streams, lagoons, tidal flats, canals, ditches, fish hatcheries, and flooded fields.
Range: Within the Northeast Region, the Little Blue Heron is a breeding visitor (May through July) along the coast of Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Outside the breeding season it disperses to Virginia, Kentucky, Illinois, Ohio, and Indiana. It is not known to occur in Canada.
Migration: Breeding and dispersing Little Blue Heron migrates, south and are absent from the Northeast Region between the months of mid November through February.
Behavior: The Little Blue Heron is a stand-and-wait predator. It watches the water for prey, moving slowly or flying to new locations.
Diet: They primarily eat small fish, but also consume small amphibians, crustaceans, grasshoppers, dragonflies, and other invertebrates. They often forage with other species.
Nest: The nest is a simple platform of long twigs and sticks  mostly in shrubs and small trees in standing water or on islands. Nests are typically 1-1.5 feet in outside diameter. They nest in multi-species colonies.
Breeding: Breeding months: March-October | Clutch Size: 3-4 eggs | Egg appearance: Pale bluish green | Incubation Period: 22-23 days | Nestling Period: 35-49 days
Lifespan: The oldest known Little Blue Heron was at least 13 years, 11 months old.
How many are there?: The global breeding population is estimated at 1.1 million.
Conservation: Little Blue Heron populations have declined, but they are currently considered a species of relatively low conservation concern. 

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Cattle Egret

Identification: A stocky heron with a short thick neck. Adults are white with buff plumes during breeding season. The bill is yellow turning bright red before pairing. Juveniles lack colored plumes and have a black bill. 
Habitat: Inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands, and rice paddies. They exploit drier, open areas more than other heron species.
Range: In the Northeast Region of North America, the Western Cattle Egret is mostly a non-breeding visitor in Southern Wisconsin and Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachussets, Kentucky, West Virginia and New York. It has been known to breed in coastal Virginia and Maryland.
Migration: Cattle Egrets expand their range throughout the Northeast Region in the months of mid March through November but migrate south and it is absent from the region from mid December through March. It is not known to occur in the Canadian Provinces. 
Behavior: Often accompany cattle, catching insects and small vertebrates disturbed by these animals. They have a distinctive head-pumping strut. 
Diet: Primarily insects like grasshoppers, crickets, flies and any other invertebrate. They may also eat eggs and chicks of small birds.
Nest: A platform of sticks in trees or shrubs in swamps or reed vegetation in marshes. It breeds in colonies with other wading birds. 
Breeding: Breeding Months: March-June | Clutch Size: 3-4 eggs | Number of Broods: 1 | Egg Appearance: Pale bluish-white | Incubation Period: 23 days | Nestling Period: 30 days.
Lifespan: Can reach a longevity of 15 years.
How many are there?: Estimated global population is 3.8–6.7 million individuals.
Conservation: Considered a species of Least Concern by the IUCN.

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Green Heron

Identification: The Green Heron has a velvet-green back, rich chestnut body, and a dark cap. Juveniles are browner, with pale streaking on the neck and spots on the wings.
Habitat: Swamps, marshes, lakes, ponds, impoundments, and other wet habitats with trees and shrubs.
Range: The Green Heron occurs throughout all states and provinces of the Northeast Region only as a breeding visitor (March through mid November) including Southern Ontario, Southern Quebec, and Nova Scotia in Canada. It is absent from the entire region for the rest of the year.
Migration: Green Herons migrate north into the Northeast Region in mid March through mid November and return to the south for the rest of the year.
Behavior: Green Herons hunt by standing still at the water’s edge, in vegetation, or by walking slowly in shallow water. When a fish approaches, the heron lunges forward and strikes with its head. 
Diet: Mainly small fish. They also feed on insects, spiders, crustaceans, snails, amphibians, reptiles, and rodents.
Nest: A simple platform made of sticks 8–12 inches across. Pairs choose a secluded site within their territory, usually in a tree or bush with overhanging branches to conceal the nest. 
Breeding: Breeding months: Mid February-mid July | Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs | Number of Broods: 1-2 broods | Incubation Period: 19-21 days | Egg color: Pale green to bluish | Nestling Period: 16-17 days.
Lifespan: The Green Heron lives at least 8 years, 11 months old.
How many are there?: Partners in Flight estimates the global breeding population at 1.2 million.
Conservation: Although Green Herons are fairly common, their population has suffered a decline of about 51%. Green Heron is included on the list of Common Birds in Steep Decline.

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American Bittern

Identification: Medium-sized heron with a compact body, shorter legs, and a thick neck. Warm brown and buff with strong streaks. When alarmed, it points its bill straight up to blend with reeds. 
Habitat: Shallow freshwater marshes with reeds and vegetation, typically near the margins. 
Range: The American Bittern breeds (mid June through mid August) mostly in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfound Land. It also breeds in Northern Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Further south in the rest of the Northeast Region, it occurs as a wintering visitor and during migration (mid August through May).
Migration: The American Bittern is a highly migratory bird commuting between the breeding grounds in the Canadian Provinces and northern US States and the non-breeding grounds in the southern states as well as coastal Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey, and New York.
Diet: Insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals and large insects. 
Nest: A mound or platform built among thick stands of cattails, bulrushes on shallow water or on dry ground. The nest is made of dead, dry reeds, sedges, or other vegetation and lined with fine grasses.
Breeding: Breeding months: April-August | Clutch Size: 2-7 eggs | Incubation Period: 24-28 days | Nestling Period: 7-14 days (chicks linger around nest for weeks) | Egg color: Beige-brown to olive.
Lifespan: The American Bittern lives at least 8 years and 4 months.
How many are there?: The global breeding population is estimated at 2.5 million.
Conservation: Considered a species of relatively low conservation concern, but their numbers have declined in some regions.

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Least Bittern

Identification: The tiny male Least Bittern appears blackish above and buffy-brown below. Females and younger birds are more uniformly buff or brownish. Juveniles have a scaly appearance.
Habitat: Freshwater and brackish marshes with tall stands of cattails or reed beds. 
Range: The Least Bittern is a breeding visitor (April-November) in all states in the Northeast Region. It is absent from the region from November through March.
Migration: Least Bitterns are highly migratory. After breeding, they migrate south to South Florida, Mexico, Central and part of South America.
Behavior: Least Bitterns hunt by standing motionless and watching the water for prey. When disturbed, they may compress the body, distend the neck and bill upward, and sway with the reeds in an attempt at camouflage.
Diet: Eat small fish, small snakes, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, slugs, crayfish, mice, dragonflies, and leeches.
Nest: The Least Bittern constructs a well-hidden nest, pulling on the reeds and crimping them to form a platform held together with stalks and sticks. The 6-8-inch across nest is usually about 6-30 inches above the water.
Breeding: Breeding months: Late April-July | Clutch Size: 2-6 eggs | Number of Broods: 1-2 broods | Egg color: Pale blue or green | Incubation Period: 17-20 days | Nestling Period: 6-15 days.
How many are there?: The global breeding population is estimated to be 310,000.
Conservation: Least Bittern is considered a species of low conservation concern.

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Black-crowned Night-Heron

Identification: Adults have light-gray plumage with a black back and crown. Immatures are brown with white spots and blurry streaks. Adults have all-black bills, while immatures have yellow-and-black bills.
Habitat:  Saltmarshes, freshwater and brackish water wetlands of all types. They require aquatic habitat for foraging and terrestrial vegetation for cover.
Range: The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a year-round resident and breeder in parts of all of the Northeast states, as well as in the extreme southern portion of Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick in Canada. It appears to be absent from the Appalachian Mountains.
Migration: It expands throughout the region during the Spring and Summer months but returns to the coastal areas of states along the Atlantic Coast and along the Mississippi delta, including southern Illinois, Indiana, and Northern Kentucky.
Behavior: Most active at night or at dusk. They spend their days perched on tree limbs or concealed among foliage and branches.
Diet: They are opportunistic feeders eating many kinds of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine animals. They also eat carrion, plant materials, and garbage from landfills.
Nest: It nests in a tree or in cattails; a platform of sticks and other woody vegetation. Black-crowned Night Herons nest colonially, sometimes with a dozen nests in a single tree.
Breeding: Clutch Size: 3-5 eggs | Egg appearance: Greenish-blue | Incubation Period: 24-26 days | Nestling Period: 29-34 days.
Lifespan: The Black-crowned Night Heron lives at least 21 years, 5 months.
How many are there?: Partners in Flight estimates a global breeding population of 3 million.
Conservation: The Black-crowned Night Herons is a species of low conservation concern. 

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Yellow-crowned Night-Heron

Identification: Adults have cloudy gray plumage, a black head with white cheek patches, and a creamy yellow crown. Immatures are brown with fine white spots, and streaky underparts.
Habitat: Most common in coastal wetlands, barrier islands, saltmarshes, and mangroves. They also occur inland along bottomland forests, swamps, and sometimes wet lawns or fields.
Range: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is a breeding and non-breeding visitor in the Northeast Region from March through mid-November. It is not known to occur in any of the Canadian Provinces. It appears to be absent from the Appalachian Mountains.
Migration: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron migrates from the breeding grounds and dispersal areas in the Northeast Region to the Southern States. It is absent from the Northeast Region during the cold months of mid-November through mid-March.
Behavior: Yellow-crowned Night Herons slowly stalk prey in or near shallow water, usually alone, with a hunched, forward-leaning posture. They forage both during the day and at night.
Diet: They feed primarily on freshwater and saltwater crabs, fiddler crabs, and crayfish. They also eat earthworms, leeches, insects, fish, small snakes, and small mammals.
Nest: The nest is a platform of sticks with a slight hollow in the center. It is built near or over water.
Breeding: Breeding months: Mid March-mid August | Clutch Size: 2-6 eggs | Egg appearance: Pale bluish green | Incubation Period: 24-25 days | Nestling Period: 30-43 days.
Lifespan: Yellow-crowned Night Herons live at least 6 years.
How many are there?: The global breeding population is estimated at 400,000.
Conservation: Yellow-crowned Night Herons are considered a species of low conservation concern.

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Exploring Heron, Egret, and Bittern Habitats

In the Northeast Region of North America, Herons, egrets, and bitterns use an array of aquatic habitats. The presence of shallow water and an abundance of small fish, amphibians, and crustaceans are the most important factors for observing these birds.

These habitats include:  

Estuaries: Where freshwater rivers meet the saltwater of the ocean, creating brackish environments. These are highly productive areas, providing abundant food sources. Expect to see a high diversity of egrets and herons, particularly during low tide when foraging is optimal.

Wetlands: Including salt marshes, freshwater marshes, swamps, and pocosins. These areas are vital for filtering water, preventing floods, and providing habitat. These areas attract species that prefer freshwater prey, such as the American Bittern and Green Herons.

Rivers: From slow-moving coastal rivers to faster-flowing Piedmont and mountain rivers. Riverbanks and floodplains offer foraging and nesting sites. Look for herons along riverbanks and in shallow areas, especially during early morning and late evening.

Lakes, Lagoons, and Reservoirs: Including natural lakes and man-made reservoirs that provide open water and shoreline habitats. Look for herons along riverbanks and in shallow areas, especially during early morning and late evening.

Coastal versus Inland Habitats

The coastal habitats: The mix of saltwater and freshwater is particularly productive for these wading birds. Estuaries, where rivers meet the ocean, offer abundant food sources like fish, crabs, and shrimp. Salt marshes, with their shallow waters and dense vegetation, provide ideal foraging and nesting sites.

Inland habitats: While the coast boasts a high concentration of these birds, inland areas also offer valuable habitats. Freshwater lakes, rivers, and wetlands provide essential foraging and nesting sites.

Where to find Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns in the Northeast Region

Coastal States

The coastal states of the Northeastern United States, from Virginia to Maine, offer a wealth of habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. From expansive salt marshes and tidal estuaries to inland freshwater wetlands, these diverse landscapes provide essential foraging and nesting grounds. This section highlights key conservation areas within each state, detailing locations where birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts can observe these waders. Expect a greater diversity of species in the more southerly states, like Maryland and Virginia, New Jersey, where warmer climates support a broader range of heron, egret, and bittern populations. As you move northward, species diversity tends to decrease.

Land-locked States

While lacking direct coastal access, West Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Vermont offer vital freshwater habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. These birds thrive in the region’s lakes, rivers, marshes, and wetlands, particularly during the breeding season and migration. This section guides you to key conservation areas in each state, highlighting prime locations like national wildlife refuges and state wildlife management areas. Note that these states primarily serve as seasonal grounds. During the fall and winter months, most herons, egrets, and bittern species migrate southward, leaving the region largely devoid of them.

Canadian Provinces

The diverse landscapes of Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia offer a variety of habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. While some provinces boast extensive coastlines with rich estuarine environments, others feature primarily inland freshwater wetlands. This difference significantly impacts the distribution and diversity of wading birds. Due to their high-latitude locations, these provinces primarily attract herons and egrets as seasonal visitors during migration, with a relatively limited species diversity compared to more southerly regions. Bitterns, American and Least, are more consistently found during the spring and summer months, breeding in the region’s marshes and wetlands.

Final Remarks:

The Northeast Region of North America offers a diverse types of habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns along the Atlantic Coast. While some species breed in parts of the region, most are widespread as Spring and Summer season visitors migrating south during the cold month of Fall and Winter. This guide examines the eleven species found in this region encompassing the states of: Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, the District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Michigan, New York, Massachusetts, Delaware, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. It also includes the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia. I hope this guide enhances your appreciation for the herons, egrets, and bitterns that grace the aquatic habitats of the Northeast region.

Photo Credits:

The photographic material used in this guide was made available on various websites. Many thanks to Andrew Morffew, Mark Mochell, Elizabeth Milson, Duzan Brinkhuizen, Matt Weller, Troy Anderson, Dennis Church, Wendy Miller, Rick From Alabama, Carlos Sanchez, John Benson, Mick Thompson, Steve Guttman, Victor Espinoza, Kelly Colgan-Azar, Andy Reago, Chrissy McLaren, Garry C., Michael Janke, Cuatro77, Linda Fortuna, Vicky DeLoach, Paul Hurtado, Tom Murray, Tom Wilberding, Patricia Pierce, Kenneth Cole-Schneider, Doug Greenberg, Brian Garrett, David White, Victoria Pickering, Becky Matsubara, Dan Mooney, and Julio Mulero.

Voices:

Most recordings were made by Paul Marvin (Xeno-canto https://xeno-canto.org/contributor/RFTXRYBVBX)

References and Sources:

• eBird. (https://ebird.org/)
• Sibley, David, 2000, The Sibley Guide to Birds.
• Species Longevity Data: United States Geological Survey (https://www.usgs.gov/)
• Allaboutbirds