Wading Birds: Herons, Egrets and others

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Herons, egrets, bitterns, ibis, spoonbills, and wood storks are wading birds. The bills of herons, egrets, and bitterns are long and pointed to capture prey with a quick strike. Ibis have a down-curved bill and spoonbills a bill that is flat and spoon shaped. They use their bills to pull out invertebrates from the water or mud. The wood stork has a long downward bill. The wood stork wades in the water and moves his bill back and forth to "feel" prey which it then captures.

Snowy Egret

Black bill, black legs and "yellow boots" (Remember: Wear your YELLOW boots when it is SNOWY!)

Snowy Egret

Often will "stir" the water to better find little fish.

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Snowy Egret

One of the wading birds that will use its wings to shade the water for better visibility in the sun.

Snowy Egret

Neck is normally tucked in when in flight. Black bill, black feet, and yellow feet.

Reddish Egret

has a very clear reddish tint. Normally not seen in a large group.

Reddish Egret

These egrets are comical and appear to prance around.

Reddish Egret

They also use their wings to shade the water.

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Great Egret

Larger than the Snowy egret and has a yellow bill and black legs and feet.

Great Egret

In flight, their neck is pulled in like the snowy egret.

Great Egret

Breeding Plume: Almost looks like a bridal veil.

Great Egret chicks

They nest in trees in a nest made of sticks. The little ones are white and very fluffy.

Cattle Egret

These are NOT wading birds but are seen in fields with cattle or horses. They eat insects.

Cattle Egret

They walk slowly and bob their head. They are small and somewhat stocky with an orange bill. When breeding they have an orange crest and orange on the breast. Juveniles have a black bill and dark legs.

Tricolored Heron

They have a light breast, and very long bluish bill when breeding. Juveniles have more of a reddish neck.

Tricolored Heron

Preening; They have a rather long neck.

BIRDS