Tennessee Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns: 11 Species ID Guide

Discover Tennessee’s herons, egrets, and bitterns. From the towering Great Blue Heron to the tiny, reclusive Least Bittern, this comprehensive guide covers the full range of species found across the Volunteer State. The guide features custom identification plates and key aspects of each species natural history. Explore vital coastal and inland habitats, locate the state’s best viewing hotspots, and deepen your appreciation for Tennessee’s wading birds.

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 “aigrettes” 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 (not found in Tennessee) 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.

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

Species of Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns in this Guide

While most North American herons, egrets, and bitterns have been recorded in Tennessee (some as vagrant or accidental), this guide focuses on species whose official range includes the Volunteer State, as documented by the eBird/Science platform.

Because Tennessee’s wetlands are biodiverse, you will often find herons and egrets sharing these habitats with other bird species. For a complete picture of the state’s avian life, you can explore our dedicated guide to Tennessee’s Ducks, Geese, and Swans, or browse our overview of other Tennessee Wetland Birds, including storks, snipes, ibises, spoonbills, and rails.

Species	Key Identification Features
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)	Largest North American heron; gray, heavy bill, vocal. Includes a white morph.
Great Egret (Ardea alba)	Slender, very long neck, yellow bill, and black legs.
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.

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Species accounts: 11 species of herons, egrets, and bittern that occur in the State of Tennessee:

Great Blue Heron

Identification: Largest North American heron. Gray plumage, large yellow-orange bill. Short black plumes on head. Black and chestnut pattern on shoulder. Immatures: more brownish than adults, dark crown. White form (“Great White Heron”) found in southern Florida and the Caribbean.
Compare: The Little Blue Heron (see below) is much smaller, dark slaty-gray and lacks the large orange bill and patterned head. White form of the Great Blue Heron most similar to Great Egret but has a larger bill and pale legs.
Habitat: Occurs in almost any wetland (ponds, marshes, saltwater bays).
Status & Movements: The Great Blue Heron is a common resident throughout Tennessee, found year-round near all major rivers and reservoirs. Winter numbers often increase slightly due to an influx of more northern-breeding individuals.
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.
Diet: Fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and other birds.
Nest: A simple platform made of small sticks in trees, bushes or the ground. Breeds in multi-species colonies of  500 or more nests.
Breeding: Egg laying: Mid March-early June | 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. Species of low conservation concern.
Conservation: Great Blue Heron numbers are stable and increased in the U.S. between 1966 and 2019.

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Great Egret

Identification: Tall, long black legs, all white plumage, and bright yellow bill. Smaller than a Great Blue Heron, larger than a Snowy Egret.
Compare: Size, bright yellow bill, and black legs an feet help separate from other egrets.
Habitat: Freshwater, brackish, and marine wetlands.
Status & Movements: The Great Egret is a common summer resident and transient in Tennessee. It arrives in early spring (March/April) and remains widely distributed near shallow waters until early fall.
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.
Breeding: Egg laying: Late March-June | 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. The Great Egret is considered a species of low concern.

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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. It’s easily identified by its contrasting black bill and distinctive yellow feet, often called “golden slippers.
Compare: Juvenile Little Blue Heron has dull yellow-green legs and a thicker gray and black bill.
Habitat: They can be found in all types of fresh, salt and brackish water wetlands. 
Status & Movements: The Snowy Egret is an uncommon to locally common transient and summer visitor in Tennessee. It is best observed from April through September, primarily in the western part of the state.
Behavior: Wades in shallow water to spear fish. May run back and forth chasing their prey or use their bright yellow feet to paddle in the water or probe in the mud.
Diet: Mostly small fish and 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: Egg laying: Mid March- early 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?: Global breeding population at 2.1 million. The Snowy Egret is a bird of low conservation concern.

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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 sides (wing coverts).
Compare: Little Blue Herons are all blue-gray. Tricolored Herons have a white belly.
Habitat: Coastal estuaries, saltmarshes, mangroves, freshwater marshes.
Status & Movements: The Tricolored Heron is a rare to uncommon summer resident and transient in Tennessee, concentrated in the western lowlands. This slender heron is a seasonal visitor, typically present from late April to September.
Behavior: The Tricolored Heron is skilled at stalking, chasing, and standing still to capture its prey.
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: Egg laying: Mid Jan-early Aug | 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. The Tricolored Heron is a bird of low conservation concern.

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Little Blue Heron

Identification: Adults are dark blue-gray with a purple-maroon head and neck. Juveniles are entirely white, transitioning to a patchy “calico” mix and eventually the blue-gray of the adult. Its dark-tipped, blue-based bill helps distinguish it from other egrets. They have greenish legs.
Compare: Snowy Egrets are often mistaken for juvenile Little Blue Herons. Snowy Egrets have an all black bill and legs (with yellow feet) compared with the grayish tipped-black bill and greenish legs in the Little Blue Herons.
Habitat: Little Blue Herons can be found in marshes, swamps,  ponds, streams, lagoons, tidal flats.
Status & Movements: The Little Blue Heron is a common summer resident and transient across much of Tennessee, particularly in the west. Arriving in mid-spring, it is a frequent sight in shallow wetlands and flooded agricultural fields until early autumn.
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, and invertebrates.
Nest: The nest is a porous platform of long twigs and sticks  mostly in shrubs and small trees in standing water or on islands. They nest in multi-species colonies.
Breeding: Egg laying: Early March-mid Sept | 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; populations have declined.

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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. 
Compare: Differ from other egrets, by shorter, thicker neck and shorter legs. Great Egrets are much larger than Cattle-Egrets with a much longer and thinner neck.
Habitat: Inundated grasslands, pastures, farmlands, wetlands, and rice paddies. They exploit drier, open areas more than other heron species.
Status & Movements: The Cattle Egret is a common summer resident throughout Tennessee, often seen near livestock or in open fields, unlike most other herons. This social species arrives mid-spring and departs by the onset of cold weather.
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: Egg laying: 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. The Cattle Egret is a species of low conservation concern.

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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.
Compare: Green Herons are larger than Least Bitterns, which have straw-colored wings and neck. Green Herons have greenish wings and a chestnut neck.
Habitat: Swamps, marshes, lakes, ponds, impoundments, and other wet habitats with trees and shrubs.
Status & Movements: The Green Heron is a widespread, yet secretive, summer resident and breeder throughout Tennessee. It is reliably present from late April to early fall, favoring dense riparian cover along small creeks and pond edges.
Behavior: Green Herons hunt by standing still or walking slowly at the water’s edge. 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, usually in a tree or bush with overhanging branches to conceal the nest. 
Breeding: Egg laying: Mid February-early 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?: The global breeding population is estimated at 1.2 million. Green Herons are fairly common, but their population has suffered a 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. 
Compare: Most similar to juvenile night-herons. Note striped neck, plain unspotted wings, and even more secretive behavior. Least Bittern is half the size of an American Bittern.
Habitat: Shallow freshwater marshes with reeds and vegetation, typically near the margins. 
Status & Movements: The American Bittern is an uncommon transient and rare winter visitor in Tennessee. This cryptic wader is most likely to be detected by sound in large, undisturbed freshwater marshes during migration periods.
Diet: Insects, crustaceans, fish, amphibians, reptiles, and small mammals and large insects. 
Nest: A mound or platform built among thick stands of cattails or bulrushes on shallow water or on dry ground.
Breeding: Egg laying: April-June | 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. The American Bittern is considered a species of low conservation concern.

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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.
Compare: American Bittern inhabits wetland marshes, whereas Least Bittern typically clings to marsh vegetation. Also, American Bittern is much larger than the Least Bittern.
Habitat: Freshwater and brackish marshes with tall stands of cattails or reed beds. 
Status & Movements: The Least Bittern is an uncommon to locally common summer resident in western Tennessee. This tiny, secretive heron occupies dense cattail and rush beds in large marshes, primarily present from May through September.
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.
Breeding: Egg laying: May-mid 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. It 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.
Compare: Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Herons have scaly upperparts whereas Black-crowned Night Herons has a black back and gray and unmarked rest of the body. Juveniles resemble an American Bittern.
Habitat:  Saltmarshes, freshwater and brackish water wetlands of all types.
Status & Movements:  The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a locally common transient and summer resident in Tennessee. This nocturnal wader is best seen at dusk or in daytime communal roosts near reservoirs and urban areas from March to November.
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.
Breeding: Egg laying: mid Nov-late July, 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. 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.
Compare: Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Herons have scaly upperparts whereas Black-crowned Night Herons has a black back and gray unmarked rest of the body. Juveniles resemble an American Bittern.
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.
Status & Movements:  The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron is an uncommon to locally common summer resident in Tennessee. This species prefers wooded swamps and river bottoms, arriving in mid-spring to feed primarily on crustaceans before heading south in the fall.
Behavior: Yellow-crowned Night Herons slowly stalk prey in or near shallow water. They forage both during the day and at night.
Diet: They feed primarily on freshwater and saltwater crabs, fiddler crabs, and crayfish. Also 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: Egg laying: Mid March-mid June | 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. Species of low conservation concern.

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Exploring Heron, Egret, and Bittern Habitats

The extensive network of aquatic ecosystems in Tennessee supports one of the richest concentrations of wading birds in North America. While some species are generalists, appearing in almost any roadside ditch or pond, others are specialized to specific habitats. Knowing the habitat often helps narrow down the identification. 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.

Tennessee Wading Bird Hotspots: Top 5 Locations for Viewing

Tennessee’s diverse aquatic habitats, characterized by major reservoirs, river systems, and extensive bottomland forests, support substantial concentrations of herons, egrets, and bitterns. These regional hotspots offer varied environments ideal for observing the state’s resident, breeding, and transient wading birds.

Location List

Reelfoot Lake State Park: Located in the northwest corner of Tennessee. This massive, shallow lake, created by earthquakes, features cypress swamps and extensive marsh habitat. It is a premier location for large nesting colonies of Great Egret, Little Blue Herons, and abundant Great Blue Herons.

Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park: Situated northwest of Memphis along the Mississippi River. The park features bottomland hardwood forest and riverine sloughs. It is an excellent spot for nesting Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, Green Herons, and transient Black-crowned Night-Herons.

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area: Located on the Cumberland Plateau in the northern part of the state. The rocky gorges and river floodplains provide unique foraging habitat. Look for resident Great Blue Herons and migrating American Bitterns and Snowy Egrets.

Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge: Situated in southeastern Tennessee on the Tennessee River. This refuge manages wetlands and shallow impoundments. It is a reliable migration stopover, attracting large flocks of Cattle Egrets, Great Egrets, and the occasional Tricolored Heron.

Mingo Swamp/Obion River WMA: Located in the western part of the state near the Kentucky border. This WMA preserves dense flooded woodlands and marsh. It provides essential cover for the secretive Least Bittern, nesting Green Herons, and Little Blue Herons.

Final Remarks:

The State of Tennessee offers plenty of habitats for herons, egrets, and bitterns. This guide has covered the eleven species of herons, egrets, and bitterns known to occur in the State of Tennessee. While some of these species are widespread and familiar, others are more secretive and local, being associated with specific habitat types. We hope this guide enhances your appreciation for these large and ubiquitous birds.

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 (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/)

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To learn more about Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns, please follow the link to the main pillar page: A Complete Guide to North American Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns