The size and shape of the bills of egrets and herons are useful tools for identification. Many field guides will reference the bill of a Snowy Egret as thin and black but until you have some experience the bills of all egrets and herons could be considered thin. It is all relative. Also notice the overall shape of the head in the following photographs below.
Bills
Herons and egrets both have long, pointed bills that they use to catch and eat their prey, but there are some differences in the size and shape of their bills.
Herons typically have thicker and longer bills than egrets. Their bills are also more variable in shape, with some species having straight bills while others have bills that are curved or kinked. Heron bills often have a sharp point or hook at the end that is used to grab onto prey.
Egrets, on the other hand, generally have thinner and shorter bills than herons. Their bills are usually straight and pointed, and they lack the sharp hook found on many heron bills. Egrets often use their bills to stab at prey, rather than grab onto it.
Overall, both herons and egrets have bills that are well adapted to their hunting strategies and allow them to catch a variety of small animals in their wetland habitats.
Let’s identify these two first
Egrets
Juvenile Cattle Egret
Reddish Egret juvenile white phase
Adult white phase Reddish Egret
Egrets are a group of long-legged wading birds that belong to the heron family. They are found in wetland habitats around the world and are known for their graceful appearance and distinctive plumage.
Egrets typically have long, slender bodies, long necks, and long, thin legs. They have broad wings and are strong fliers. Their plumage varies depending on the species, but most egrets have white feathers, with some species having yellow, brown, or gray markings. They have long, pointed bills that are used to catch fish, crustaceans, and other small animals.
Egrets are social birds and often gather in large flocks, particularly during breeding season. They typically build nests in trees or on the ground near water, and both parents share in incubating the eggs and caring for the young.
Egrets are important components of wetland ecosystems, as they help to control populations of small animals like fish and insects. They are also indicators of wetland health and can be used to monitor the status of wetland habitats. However, many species of egrets are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and other human activities, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival.
Great Egrets
Adult Great Egret
One of the most famous egret species is the Great Egret, which is found in many parts of the world. Great Egrets have long, elegant plumes on their backs that were once popular for use in fashion. These plumes were so sought after that the Great Egret was nearly hunted to extinction in the United States, leading to the creation of laws protecting them and other migratory birds.
Herons
Immature Little Blue Heron
Herons are a group of wading birds that are found in wetland habitats around the world. They are known for their long, slender bodies, long necks, and long, thin legs, which allow them to wade in shallow water and catch fish, amphibians, and other small animals.
Herons have distinctive long bills that are used to catch and eat their prey. They typically have a serrated edge on their bills that helps them grip their prey, and they swallow their food whole. Their plumage varies depending on the species, but most herons have a gray or blue-gray body with white or black markings.
Herons are solitary birds and are often seen standing motionless in shallow water, waiting for their prey to swim by. They are strong fliers and often travel long distances between their feeding and nesting sites. During breeding season, herons gather in large groups to build nests and raise their young.
Herons are important indicators of wetland health and are used to monitor the status of wetland habitats. However, many species of herons are threatened by habitat loss, pollution, and other human activities, making conservation efforts crucial for their survival.
Great Blue Herons
Great Blue Heron – adult
One of the most common heron species in North America is the Great Blue Heron. This large bird can stand up to 4.5 feet (1.4 meters) tall and has a wingspan of up to 6.5 feet (2 meters). It has a distinctive blue-gray body with a black and white head and a long, pointed bill.
Other heron species found in North America include the Green Heron, Black-crowned Night Heron, and the Yellow-crowned Night Heron.