Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor)

Order: Pelecaniformes | Family: Ardeidae | IUCN Status: Least Concern

tricolored_heron
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Tumbes, Peru

tricolored_heron
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Tumbes, Peru

tricolored_heron
Age: Juvenile | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Florida, North America

tricolored_heron
Age: Adult | Sex: Unknown | Loc. Ite, Tacna


Identification & Behavior: ~63.5 cm (25 in). The Tricolored Heron is bluish gray with white under-wings and belly. It has a pale streak running down the front side of the neck. It generally wades in shallow water searching for fish and other prey. When seen from behind, it resembles Little Blue Heron, but it is distinguished by a white belly in all age stages.

Status: The Tricolored Heron is uncommon in wetlands in northwestern Peru. It is rare in the central and south portions of the coastal lowlands but known to breed as far south of Arequipa. It also occurs in Co, Ec, and Br.

Name in Spanish: Garcita Tricolor.

Sub-species: Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor ruficollis) Gosse, 1847.

Meaning of Name: Egretta: French aigrette= heron. tricolor: L. Tri= three and color, coloris= color or colors.

See more of the Family Ardeidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
tricolored heronVoice


References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 01/01/2015.