World Birding Center

Reddish Egret /garceta rojiza (Egretta rufescens)

Voice: soft, short grunt

Status: Locally common resident along the Lower Coast where it is found almost exclusively in expanses of shallow salt water, like the Laguna Madre. Most birds on the mainland side of the Laguna Madre are the dark “reddish” morph, while birds along the barrier islands are predominantly the rarer white morph.

Habitat: Vast expanses of shallow salt water.

Best Spots: Often seen in the Laguna Madre, especially on the bayside loop at Laguna Atascosa NWR and along the bayshore of South Padre Island, especially on the boardwalk at the S.P.I. Convention Center.

Similar Species: Dark morph Reddish Egret is closest to Little Blue Heron, but differs in bill color (Little Blue is two-toned with bluish base), body structure (Reddish Egret is lankier), and behavior. Reddish Egret is usually very active and animated, often chasing fish, leaping into the air, and shading the waters with open wings. White morph birds may superficially resemble Great Egret, but differ in bill and leg color, body structure, behavior, and habitat. Great Egrets may occasionally inhabit salt water environs, but Reddish Egrets are very rarely seen away from coastal salt water expanses.

A speaker symbol next to the bird indicates that it has a sound file available.
All Bird call recordings © John C. Arvin.

Call (956) 584-2731 to hear or submit an alert.

Nine Unique Locations

A Birder's Eye View of the Seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley

Welcome to a birder’s eye view of the seasons in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Enjoy our annual cycle! The resulting avifauna in deep South Texas is the most diverse north of the Mexican border. The four county area that makes up the lower Rio Grande Valley has recorded over 500 species of birds. This is more species of birds than have been recorded in all but two or three entire states. Small wonder that birders from across the continent make pilgrimages to the region. Happy Birding!

What is a checklist?

A "Bird Checklist" is a complete list of birds that have been seen or heard in a specific region like Texas or the Rio Grande Valley. Checklists can be used as a personal diary of your travels.

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