Tricolor Heron

The tricolor heron is one of the most colorful birds we see here in Florida in the springtime.  Since I've been a little under the weather lately these images are from an earlier outing.

[click on any image for a larger view]

Juvenile Night Heron




40-13600 - Night Heron headshot

 

Since I don't have may photos of this species, I thought I'd post a couple images from a recent outing.   This is not a full grown bird, but rather a juvenile.  Night herons in this stage are sometimes mistaken for the American bittern, and they can sometimes look similar.  The night heron is usually more hunched over when perched, and I believe the larger orange eye of the night heron sets it apart.  There is also a dark brown mark under the neck of the American bittern that turns black in adults, and no such mark exists on the night heron.    An American bittern will often points its head and bill straight upward when startled.  [click on any image to enlarge]






40-13606 - Juvenile Night Heron

 


#89078 - Juvenile Night Heron