North American White Egrets and Herons: An Identification Guide

Distinguishing between North America’s white herons and egrets can be a challenge, even for experienced birders. Several species share similar appearances, particularly young birds. This guide aims to simplify identification by focusing on key characteristics: geographic range, preferred habitat, plumage patterns, typical postures and behaviors, and the coloration of their ‘bare parts’—that is, the beak, legs, and feet. We’ll cover the following species: the Snowy Egret (Egretta thula), Great Egret (Ardea alba), (Western) Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis), Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), and the Great ‘White’ Heron, a white color morph of the more common Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias).

The terms “heron” and “egret” do not correspond with a specific set of traits, and in fact all members of the family “Ardeidae” are often collectively referred to as “herons”.

White Herons and Egrets: Key Identification Terms

To confidently identify white herons and egrets, you’ll need to pay close attention to several key features:

• Range: This refers to the geographical area where a particular species is typically found. Knowing a bird’s range can help narrow down the possibilities.
• Habitat: Within their range, herons and egrets prefer specific habitats. Understanding their preferred foraging areas is crucial for identification.
• Color pattern: A bird’s plumage, or feather patterns, can change with age and season. These variations in coloration are essential clues for distinguishing between species and age groups.
• Postures & Behavior: Observe how the bird holds its body and the actions it takes while hunting or fishing. These behaviors can be unique to certain species.
• Bare Parts: Pay close attention to the coloration of the legs, feet, bill, and lores (the area between the eye and the bill). These “bare parts” are vital for accurate identification.

A Word of Caution: Remember, other large white birds, such as Wood Storks (Mycteria americana), immature Roseate Spoonbills (Ajia ajaja), White Ibises (Eudocimus albus), and Whooping Cranes (Grus americana), may share habitats with white herons and egrets. Be sure to consider all characteristics before making a final identification.

The Six White Egrets and Herons of North America

The following are the six species of white herons and egrets more likely to be mistaken for one another in North America. The Little Egret (Egretta garceta), a rare vagrant egret in parts of the northeast, is not included.

Cattle Egret 

The Cattle Egret is the smallest white egret. Thicker yellow bill and shorter neck than other herons. Regularly found in highland habitats near livestock. 

Range: The Cattle Egret is widespread across the Lower 48 and into southern Canada. It is found year-round along coastlines and throughout Florida (violet). Occurs as a breeder (May-Jul-Tan). Uncommon during migration (Aug-Apr-Yellow).
Habitat: Upland fields, often away from water.
Color Pattern: White plumage at all ages. Breeding adults develop buff-orange plumes on the head, chest, and back. Non-breeding adults and juveniles have all-white plumage.
Postures & Behavior: Cattle Egrets walk slowly with an exaggerated strut. They often follow grazing cattle or tractors to feed on displaced prey.
Bill: Thick; yellow in non-breeding birds (winter), red-orange in breeding birds (March-July), dark in juveniles (July-October).
Lores: Yellow in nonbreeding  birds. It turns reddish-orange during the breeding season (March-July).
Legs & feet: Black in nonbreeding birds (August-February) and in juveniles. Yellow-red to red during the breeding season.

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Great Egret

Large and very slender with a distinctive long S-curved neck. Larger than a Snowy Egret, but smaller than a Great Blue Heron.

Range: Year-round along coastlines and throughout Florida (violet). Occurs as a breeder (May-Jul-Tan). Uncommon during migration (Aug-Apr-Yellow).
Habitat: Found in freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Color Pattern: All white plumage at all ages. Breeding adults have long back plumes but no head plumes. Non-breeding adults lack back plumes.
Postures & Behavior: Great Egrets often forage with bills held horizontally or tilted skyward.
Bill: Dagger-like yellow/orange at all stages.
Lores: Pale yellow (non-breeding), rich green (breeding, Feb-Jul).
Legs & feet: Black at all ages.

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Snowy Egret

A small and slender egret with a thin black bill and black legs with contrasting yellow feet. 

Range:  Snowy Egrets are found year-round along coastlines and throughout Florida (violet). Occurs as a breeder (May-Jul-Tan). Uncommon during migration (Aug-Apr-Yellow).
Habitat: Feeds mostly in shallow open water.
Color Pattern: All white plumage at all ages. Breeding plumage (March–August) features plumes on the head, nape, chest, and back; back plumes are curled.
Postures & Behavior: Snowy Egrets hunt by crouching with coiled necks before striking, or by active pursuit.
Bill: Adult bill: thin, black. Juvenile bill: dusky-black with a pale lower mandible.
Lores: Yellow/orange (non-breeding), pink to red (breeding); dull yellowish (immature).
Legs & feet: Adult legs: black. Adult feet: golden-yellow. Some adults have yellow-green on the back of their legs. Immature legs: dusky greenish to black. Immature feet: yellowish-green.

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Little Blue Heron

White plumaged juveniles are slightly stockier with a bicolored and thicker bill and green legs.

Range: The Little Blue Heron is a year-round resident along coastlines of the Southeast and throughout Florida (violet). Occurs as breeder further inland (May-Jul-Tan). Uncommon during migration (Aug-Apr-Yellow).
Habitat: Prefers freshwater wetlands, less common in saltwater habitats.
Color Pattern: Adult: blue-gray, purple-maroon head/neck. Juvenile: white, dusky primary tips. 1st spring: white. 2nd year: dappled blue-gray (“calico/piebald”). Adult plumage by 2nd spring.
Postures & Behavior: Little Blue Herons walk slowly, with necks outstretched and bills pointed downward.
Bill: Pale bluish-gray at the base and black at the tip across all ages.
Lores: Pale bluish-gray.
Legs & feet: Always greenish at all stages.

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Reddish Egret

Long-legged and long-necked with very distinctive foraging actions. Range restricted. Forages in shallow water.

Range: Reddish egrets are highly restricted and it is a year-round resident (violet) along the coastlines of the Texas and Florida up to South Carolina. Uncommon along the coast of North Florida un the upper Gulf Coast (Yellow).
Habitat: Almost always in expanses of shallow salt water.
Color Pattern: Dark and white morphs. Dark morph: adults have grayish-blue bodies and pinkish-cinnamon heads and necks; juveniles are all gray. The dark morph is more common in the north. White morph: all snow white at all ages.
Postures & Behavior: Behavior: Animated, acrobatic hunting: dashes, leaps, sprints. Wings raised for balance/prey detection. “Canopyfeeding”: wings form shade to attract prey.
Bill: Adults in both morphs share a two-toned bill, which is pink at the base and black at the tip. Dusky in juvenile birds.
Lores: Blue during the breeding season (March-August), pale nonbreeding season. Dusky in juvenile birds.
Legs & feet: The legs are cobalt blue in both morphs. Dusky in juvenile birds.

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Great “White” Heron

A color morph of the Great Blue Heron. Range restricted. Large and sturdy with a heavy bill and pale legs.

Range: The Great “White” Heron is mainly confined to the tip of South Florida (red circle). It is uncommon to rare further north in Florida. 
Habitat: Prefers saltwater habitats, such as mangroves, tidal shallows, or coastal ponds.
Color Pattern: The Great ‘White’ Heron (all white plumage) is a form of the Great Blue Heron, distinguished from Great Egrets by its head plumes. ‘Wurdemann’s’ Heron (Florida Keys) results from Great Blue and Great White Heron pairings, with a Great Blue-like body and variably whitish head and neck.
Postures & Behavior: It is mostly solitary, usually moving slowly and deliberately. It often forages with its bill held horizontally or tilted skyward.
Bill: Yellow, heavy, dagger-like.
Lores: Bluish in adults, dusky in juveniles.
Legs & feet: Yellowish.

The Importance of Behavior

Observing typical behaviors, including foraging postures and actions, provides valuable clues for identifying white egrets and herons. However, it’s important to remember that any species may alter its behavior depending on the circumstances.

• Cattle Egret: The most common and widespread white egret, it forages in upland fields, often far from water. This small egret walks slowly with an exaggerated strut.
• Great Egret: The second largest of the white herons and egrets, it also moves relatively slowly while hunting.
• Snowy Egret: This egret displays diverse behaviors, varying its postures and actions. It may actively pursue prey or crouch quietly, but it consistently holds its neck tightly coiled before striking.
• Little Blue Heron: It typically walks slowly with its neck outstretched and bill pointed downward, striking its prey with a downward motion.
• Reddish Egret: This species exhibits highly distinctive hunting behavior, engaging in very active and animated movements, such as dancing and spinning, as it chases fish.
• Great “White” Heron: Due to its large size, it moves slowly while searching for prey.

Conclusion

Identifying North America’s white herons and egrets presents a rewarding challenge. By utilizing key features like range, habitat, plumage, behavior, and “bare part” coloration, you can confidently distinguish between species. Remember, careful observation is crucial, as individual birds may exhibit variations in behavior and appearance.

This guide has covered the six white heron and egret species commonly found in North America: the Snowy Egret, Great Egret, Cattle Egret, Little Blue Heron, Reddish Egret, and the Great “White” Heron. Always be mindful of other white wading birds that may share similar habitats.