Reddish Egret
I always see reddish egrets in shallow salt water. We see the reddish egret in saltwater marshes and lagoons along the Gulf of Mexico. I understand the reddish egret can also be seen along the east coast of Florida as far north as Jacksonville. If they are in Jacksonville I bet it can also be found in the coastal marshes of Georgia but I have not seen them there.
Reddish egrets are named for their chestnut to auburn heads and necks and slate-gray bodies. They have long, blue legs and pink bills with black tips. Males and females are alike, with males being slightly larger. You can see all the markings necessary to identify a reddish egret in this photograph.
The reddish egret is a medium to large heron usually seen actively chasing fish in shallow salt water marshes along the Gulf Coast. Bird books say the reddish egret is a resident breeder in Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and Mexico. Bird books also say there is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range but I have not seen them north of the coastal marshes along the Gulf of Mexico. Birding authorities say there are only 1,500 to 2,000 nesting pairs of reddish egrets in the United States. Texas claims most of these nests and that may be accurate considering the number of reddish egrets we have seen in the coastal marshes of Texas.
The reddish egret is a very active forager, often seen running, jumping, and spinning in its pursuit of fish. This characteristic is so different from other egrets and herons who prefer to stalk their prey. The reddish egret is the most active heron we have seen, when feeding it is on the move. Reddish egrets stalk their prey visually in shallow water running with reckless abandon while using the shadow of its wings to reduce glare on the water until it is in position to spear a fish. Reddish egret
This is a reddish egret. I has a different fishing method than other herons. The reddish egret feeds in shallow estuaries by spreading its wings and spooking fish. Then with those wings spread it chases after schools of fleeing fish. It is a real hoot to watch them in action.
Reddish egret
This reddish egret is using its wings to form a shadow to better see the fish that is about to be speared. The reddish egret is the most active heron we have seen, when feeding it is on the move. Reddish egrets stalk their prey visually in shallow water running with reckless abandon while using the shadow of its wings to reduce glare on the water until it is in position to spear a fish.
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