The Reddish Egret is a medium-sized, long-legged heron distinguished by its two color morphs: a more common dark morph with a reddish head and slate-blue body, and a less common white morph with entirely white plumage. Both have a distinctive pink-based, black-tipped bill and blue-gray legs. Known for their highly animated foraging behavior—running, hopping, spreading wings, and casting shadows to startle prey—Reddish Egrets are one of the more entertaining herons to observe.
They are typically found in shallow saltwater flats and coastal lagoons along the Gulf Coast, in Florida, Texas, Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. In Arizona, the species is a rare visitor, well outside its normal range. Most records come from the southwestern part of the state, particularly wetlands along the Colorado River near Yuma, such as West Wetlands Park. These occurrences are believed to be post-breeding dispersal or wandering juveniles rather than evidence of local breeding populations. Sightings in Arizona are infrequent and usually draw considerable attention from local birders.
