Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret

Egretta rufescens

Garza Rojiza,
Garza Roja

Photo: G. Beaton

A medium-sized heron that has two color forms: one is purple with a reddish head and neck, while the other is all white. In both phases, the bill is red with a black tip. Length: 70-80 cm.; weight: 700-850 g. It has a very active feeding style and will wave its wings and lurch from one side to another as it herds small fish into shallows for easy capture. Breeds on the coast of the southern USA, Central America, Cuba, Bahamas and the Cayman Islands. Rare visitor to saltwater wetlands and tidal channels in Puerto Rico. The red phase is more often seen in Puerto Rico, but the white phase has been reported (e.g. Bahia Sucia, Cabo Rojo, 29 December 1999).

TAXONOMY: CICONIIFORMES; ARDEIDAE

Photo: G. Beaton


White phase - Photo: G. Beaton


Immature bird - Photo: G. Beaton

References

Bent, A.C. 1926. Life histories of North American marsh birds. Smithsonian Instit. U.S. National Museum Bull. 135. (Reprinted by Dover Press, NY, 1963).

del Hoyo, J., A. Elliott, and J. Sargatal, eds. 1992. Handbook of Birds of the World, Vol. 1. Ostrich to ducks. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.

Lowther, P. E. and R. T. Paul. 2002. Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens). No. 633 in The birds of North America (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.

Raffaele, H.A. 1989. A guide to the birds of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Princeton.

Raffaele, H.A. 1989. Una guía a las aves de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes. Publishing Resources, Inc., Santurce, PR.

Raffaele, H.A., J.W. Wiley, O.H. Garrido, A.R. Keith, and J.I. Raffaele. 1998. Guide to the birds of the West Indies. Princeton.

Rodrφguez-Mojica, R. 2002. A Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) in the western coast of Puerto Rico. El Pitirre 15(1):40-41.

Vanwoerkom, G.J. 1997. Feeding fandango: experience the bizarre feeding strategy of the Reddish Egret. BirdersÆs World 11(5):30-32.

Reddish Egret, Spanish text

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