Reddish Egret

Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens) is in the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns family (Ardeidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 14,098 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in April.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: year-round resident. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

Conservation status (iNaturalist): NT.

When to photograph Reddish Egret: observations by month (U.S.)

About Reddish Egret

The reddish egret (Egretta rufescens) is a medium-sized heron. It is a resident breeder in Central America, The Bahamas, the Caribbean, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and Mexico. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range. In the past, this bird was a victim of the plume trade.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Reddish Egret by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns)

Great Blue HeronArdea herodias

Great EgretArdea alba

Snowy EgretEgretta thula

Green HeronButorides virescens

Black-crowned Night HeronNycticorax nycticorax

Yellow-crowned Night HeronNyctanassa violacea

Little Blue HeronEgretta caerulea

Tricolored HeronEgretta tricolor

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ