Tricolored Heron

66 cm (26") Common in salt marshes and mangrove swamps along Atlantic and Gulf coasts; rare inland.

Very slender dark heron. Dark blue upperparts contrast with white belly and rump; white line runs down front of dark neck. Immature has brown neck and wing coverts.

Stalks prey by walking or actively feeds by running and hopping with wings open. Often wades into deep water.

Was called Louisiana Heron.

Song: croaks and squawks.

Videos

Images

Credit: Dave Wilson

Credit: Lip Kee Yap

Credit: Kenneth Cole Schneider

Credit: Kenneth Cole Schneider

Distribution Maps

Tricolored Heron winter distribution map

Tricolored Heron distribution map