Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens)
Standing about two and a half feet high, this young Reddish Egret has a wild look in his eye. Watching him hunt for food was a real treat. Unlike the Great Blue Heron or the Great Egret, this long-legged wader races back and forth in shallow water flapping his hugh wings until he spies something edible, and then he swoops down to get it. This egret is found along the coastal areas in warm climates with its largest population found in Texas. This photographed was taken on Sanibel Island, Florida.
Standing about two and a half feet high, this young Reddish Egret has a wild look in his eye. Watching him hunt for food was a real treat. Unlike the Great Blue Heron or the Great Egret, this long-legged wader races back and forth in shallow water flapping his hugh wings until he spies something edible, and then he swoops down to get it. This egret is found along the coastal areas in warm climates with its largest population found in Texas. This photographed was taken on Sanibel Island, Florida.
The Reddish Eget is the least common egret in North America. It's population was nearly wiped out in the late nineteenth century plume hunting. There is a white phase of this bird and both phases may be found on Florida's coast as well as the Gulf coast in Texas. To date, this is my only Reddish Egret. I hope to see more.