Florida has many different kinds of egrets and birds. Some of these birds are big and white, and some are smaller and have different colors like white, brown, or blue.
They live in wetlands, ponds, and along the coast. All egret birds like to stand in shallow water and look for food like fish and bugs.
In this blog post, I will explore the 4 main types of egrets in Florida.
All Types of Egrets in Florida
There are 4 types of Egrets found throughout Florida including large Great Egrets to rare Reddish Egret species. Here is the 4 egrets list:
- Great Egret
- Snowy Egret
- Cattle Egret
- Reddish Egret
Let’s explore the 4 egrets in Florida. Look below for how you can identify these birds, where you can find them in Florida, their habitats, diets, etc.
1. Great Egret (Ardea alba)
Great egrets are big and white birds in Florida. This bird has a long neck with a yellow bill and also has long legs with black colors.
These species of birds can grow up to 3.3 to 3.7 feet with a wingspan of up to 1.4 meters, and weigh up to 1kg.
Great Egrets are entirely white with some black plumes on their backs and tails. They eat fish and other small animals, build their nests in trees and shrubs, and are easily recognized by their long legs, S-shaped neck, and yellow bill.
Great Egrets are one of the largest egret species in the world as well as in Florida.
Where to find: Great egrets can be found in wetlands, swamps, and along the coast of Florida.
Great Egrets in Florida Diet: These birds eat fish, frogs, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and other small animals that they catch in the water.
Habitat: Great egrets like to live near water, such as in marshes, swamps, and ponds. They build their nests in trees and shrubs near the water.
How to Identify: Great egrets are big white birds with long legs and a long, S-shaped neck. They have yellow bills and black feet. They are larger than many other white birds that you might see in Florida.
2. Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret is a white wading bird that is found in Florida as well as other parts of the United States.
In Florida, snowy egrets can be found in aquatic habitats, such as marshes, swamps, and ponds, also coastal and inland areas of the state, especially in winter months.
The Snowy Egret has a black bill with white plumage. Also has long black legs and yellow feet.
During the breeding season, it develops long feathers on its head, neck, and back.
Habitat: Snowy Egrets prefer wetland habitats like other egrets such as marshes, swamps, ponds, lakes, and tidal flats, as well as coastal areas.
Size: Snowy Egrets are one of the smallest egret species in the world. These species of birds can grow up to 22-26 inches in length with a wingspan of up to 38 inches.
Diet: Snowy Egrets eat small fish, but they also eat insects, crustaceans, and other small animals.
How to Identify: You can easily identify these birds by their small size, long black legs, and yellow feet. During the breeding season, they develop long feathers on their back, neck, and head.
3. Cattle Egret
Cattle Egrets are small white birds in Hawaii that can be found in fields, pastures, and other open areas in Florida. It has a shot, a thick neck, and a stout, yellow bill.
During the breeding season, cattle egrets develop bright orange-buff plumes on their head, neck, and back.
Cattle Egret can grow up to 18 inches tall with a wingspan of 35 inches.
Do you know that cattle egrets are native to Africa? Yes! they are native to Africa. But this species of white bird is found all over the world except Antarctica.
In Florida, they can be found in open habitats, such as pastures, fields, and wetlands.
Cattle Egrets feed primarily on insects, grasshoppers, and crickets, which they catch by walking.
Also, In-flight cattle egrets hold their necks tucked in. They have a habit of perching on the backs of grazing cattle.
Where to find: Cattle egrets are often found in fields, pastures, and other open areas where they can feed on insects, small reptiles, and other prey.
Diet: These birds feed on insects, such as grasshoppers and beetles, and other small animals, such as frogs and lizards.
Habitat: Cattle egrets are adaptable birds that can live in a variety of habitats, from grasslands and savannas to wetlands and coastal areas.
How to Identify: Easily identify their compact size, white plumage, and yellow bill. During the breeding season, they develop orange-buff plumes.
4. Reddish Egret
Reddish Egret is a medium-sized heron with a shaggy rusty-colored neck and heavy bill. Reddish Egrets have long legs and long necks.
Reddish Egrets have two color morphs, an all-white morph, and a reddish morph. They nest on trees.
Reddish Egret is larger than a Snowy Egret. They can grow up to 31 inches in length, and weigh around 850 g, with a wingspan of 46 inches.
Dark Morph adults have blue bodies with vivid pinkish heads and necks. Reddish Egrets chase fish through salt water.
Where to find: Reddish egrets are rare birds that are found in coastal areas of Florida, such as mangrove swamps, mudflats, and tidal creeks.
Diet: These birds like to eat small fish and other aquatic animals, which they catch by running through shallow water.
Habitat: Reddish egret’s habitats include coastal areas where they can find shallow water to feed in. They nest in colonies in trees or bushes near the water.
How to identify: Reddish egrets are medium-sized birds with reddish-brown bodies and shaggy crests on their head. They have a long, thin bill that is black at the tip and pale at the base.
People Also Ask:
You can find all the questions answered regarding “Egrets in Florida” that people ask on Google. Here are the questions and answers:
1. What do Florida egrets look like?
Florida egrets are tall, wading birds with long legs and white feathers. They have long, pointed beaks and yellow eyes. They can grow up to three feet tall and have a wingspan of up to four feet.
2. Are egrets or herons in Florida?
Yes! you can find egrets and herons both species of birds in Florida. There are 4 types of egrets and 6 types of herons found in Florida.
3. Are egrets protected in Florida?
Yes, Reddish egrets are protected by the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act in Florida. Because these egrets are listed as threatened species by Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule. (More info)
4. Are egrets rare in Florida?
Not all egrets are rare in Florida. But Reddish egrets are very rare in Florida because they are listed as threatened species.
5. How long do Florida egrets live?
Florida egrets can live up to 15 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity.
Conclusion:
Florida is home to 4-5 species of egrets, including great egrets, cattle egrets, reddish egrets, and little blue herons. These birds live near water and feed on fish, insects, and other small animals. Egrets are easily recognized by their long legs, S-shaped necks, and white or bluish-gray feathers.
