Tri-colored Heron – Birding and Nature Center, TX

At the South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center in Texas, we watched a Tri-colored Heron hunt with deliberate steps. This heron is identified by blue-gray upperparts, rufous neck and crown, clean white belly, and white stripe down the neck. Its long, pointed bill and armored shins make it easy to hunt small fish and crustaceans. We watched it’s active feeding behavior, including quick strikes and occasional wing positioning to manage glare on the water. Tri-colored Herons are common along the Gulf Coast in marshes and lagoons. They foraging alone even though they nest in colonies. Up until 1982, this species was called the the Louisiana Heron, and was changed to match its appearance. Some birds are named for the location that they were first identified and not because of their range. These herons actively chase prey rather than rely solely on still hunting.