Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns of the Southeast USA: An ID Guide

Today, I am glad to share my comprehensive guide to the herons, egrets, and bitterns of the Southeast USA! This guide 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 images, making it a valuable resource. I define the Southeast Region of the United States as encompassing the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee.

Species Featured in this Guide

• 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.
• Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens): Large, slender; bicolored bill, dark and white morphs, forages in shallow saltwater.
• 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.

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.

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.

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Overview of the 11 species of herons, egrets, and bittern that occur in the Southeast Region of the United States:

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 is a year-round resident throughout all states of the Southeast Region. It is less common in the western half of Texas.
Migration: The Great-blue Heron remains in the region all months of the year.
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 multy-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 all states of the Southeast Region.
Migration: Great Egrets in the Southeast region are not migratory. Birds breeding in higher latitudes migrate south during the Fall and winter.
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 year-round resident along the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, most of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas. Inland, it breeds and visits during spring and summer throughout the Mississippi Delta, reaching Oklahoma, Arkansas, and western Tennessee.
Migration: Birds migrate to the south during the cold 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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Reddish Egret

Identification: A large heron with a shaggy appearance. Dark morph adults have grayish blue bodies with a pinkish-cinnamon head and neck, while white morph adults are all white. Both morphs have pink and black bills and cobalt blue legs; juveniles are ashy copper.
Habitat: Salt flats, lagoons, mangrove forests, and human-made salt pans. Most foraging occurs in tidal environments.
Range: The Reddish Egret is restricted to shallow saltwater flats and tidal mudflats in select locations along the coasts of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Texas. It is rare in Georgia and the Carolinas.
Migration: The Reddish Egret is a year-round resident in its range.
Behavior: Energetically chases fish in shallow saltwater, using wings to startle or attract prey, create shade, and herd fish. They stir sediment with their feet, and may hunt alone or in groups.
Diet: Primarily small, minnow-like fish, but also shrimp and crab. 
Nest: A flat platform of twigs and sticks, lined with grasses and forbs, usually in trees over water. Nests are often in mixed-species breeding colonies.
Breeding: Breeding months: March-September | Clutch Size: 3-6 eggs | Number of Broods: 1 | Egg Appearance: Pale bluish green | Incubation Period: 21-36 days | Nestling Period: 28-35 days.
How many are there?: Estimated global breeding population of 15,000, with about 2,400 breeding in the U.S.
Conservation: The Reddish Egret is on the Yellow Watch List because of its restricted range. It is threatened by climate change, habitat destruction, and disturbance at nesting colonies.

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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 common year-round resident in most of Florida and along the coasts of the Carolinas, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. In Texas and Louisiana, it’s a year-round coastal resident and a breeding visitor inland along the Mississippi Delta. It’s considered rare in parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee.
Migration: The Tricolored Heron is mostly a year-round resident. It performs short distance movements in Texas and Louisiana..
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: The Little Blue Heron is found throughout the Southeastern United States, residing year-round along the coast and in most of Florida. Inland, it occurs as a breeding visitor and during spring and summer migration.
Migration: Birds migrate south in the winter for coastal or near coastal areas of the Golf of Mexico and the Atlantic. 
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 porous 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: The Cattle Egret is widespread throughout the Southeastern United States. It is particularly common in eastern Texas, most of Louisiana, southern Alabama and Georgia, all of Florida, and southern South Carolina.
Migration: Cattle Egrets expand their range throughout the Southeast during spring and summer, reaching as far north as a line between Massachusetts and southern Oregon. They return south for the winter months. 
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: Green Herons have 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 is a year-round resident along the coasts of the Southeast, excluding landlocked Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Tennessee. During the breeding season (June-mid-September) and migration (mid-September-May), it occurs throughout all states in the region.
Migration: Migrates north in the Spring and Summer, and returns to the South during the cold Winter months
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 and darts 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 its 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, 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 is a non-breeding visitor in the Southeast from mid-August to mid-June. It winters primarily in the southern half of the region and occurs as a migrant transient in the northern half.
Migration: The American Bittern is a highly migratory bird commuting between the breeding and non-breeding grounds every year.
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: 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-September) during the Spring and Summer in most states of the Southeast. It appears to be absent from the western half of Texas and norther half of Georgia.
Migration: Least Bitterns are highly migratory. It winters in the southern half of Florida. Most birds migrate south to 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 along the coasts of the Southeast and in most of Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, and western Tennessee. It is primarily a breeding visitor in inland areas of the region.
Migration: It expands throughout the region during the Spring and Summer months but returns to the south during winter months.
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 year-round resident in coastal habitats of the Carolinas, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Inland, it breeds throughout the region during spring and summer, extending into Oklahoma, East Texas, and Arkansas.
Migration: The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron migrates from the breeding grounds to coastal areas during the winter months.
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

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 are 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 South and North Carolina and Georgia

The diverse aquatic habitats in South and North Carolina, and Georgia provide excellent opportunities for observing herons, egrets, and bitterns. From the expansive estuaries of the coast, along the Atlantic Ocean, to the inland lakes and rivers, these birds thrive where water meets and mixes with land.

Best sites to Find Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns in the State of Florida

Florida, often considered the “Heron, Egret, and Bittern World Capital,” boasts the highest diversity and abundance of these wading birds. The state’s subtropical climate, vast Everglades ecosystem, coastal estuaries, and numerous freshwater lakes and rivers create a mosaic of habitats that make it a premier destination for bird enthusiasts.

Florida

Coastal Sites

• Everglades National Park
• Merritt Island National Wildlife RefugeDing
• Darling National Wildlife Refuge
• Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge

Inland Sites

• Lake OkeechobeeKissimmee
• Prairie Preserve State Park
• St. Johns River
• Orlando Wetlands Park
• Green Swamp Wildlife Management Area

Sites favored by Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas, and Tennessee

These five states, sharing the rich aquatic ecosystems of the Gulf Coast and the expansive Mississippi Delta, offer diverse habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. From the coastal marshes and estuaries to the inland swamps and rivers, these birds thrive in the region’s abundant wetlands. The Mississippi River’s influence extends far inland, creating habitat corridors throughout the region, and even reaching into Tennessee.

Best site to find to Find Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns in the State of Texas

Texas, with its vast size and diverse ecosystems, offers a wide range of habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. While many species are concentrated in the more humid wetland-rich eastern half of the state, the coastal regions and inland waterways throughout Texas provide excellent opportunities for observing these birds. The transition from arid western Texas to the more humid, wetland-dominated eastern Texas strongly influences the distribution of herons, egrets, and bitterns.

Texas

Coastal Sites

• Aransas National Wildlife Refuge
• Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge
• Galveston Island State Park
• Big Thicket National Preserve

Inland Sites

• Caddo Lake State Park
• Trinity River National Wildlife Refuge
• Lake Livingston
• Sabine National Forest

Final Remarks:

The Southeast United States offers an unparalleled diversity of habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. While some species are widespread and familiar to many, others are more secretive and local and are associated with specific habitat types. This guide has covered the eleven key species found in this region encompassing Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. Whether you’re a seasoned birder or a curious nature enthusiast, we hope this guide enhances your appreciation for the herons, egrets, and bitterns that grace the aquatic habitats of the Southeast 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