Description:
The tricolored heron is a medium sized wading bird that grows to a height of approximately 22 inches, with a wingspan of 38 inches. The sexes are similar in appearance, with overall body color gray along the neck, back and wings; and white along the foreneck and much of the ventral area. The legs are greenish or yellow in color, and the black-tipped bill can range from shades of blue to yellow.

Habitat:
The tricolored herons share habitat with other species of wading birds, particularly the great blue heron, the little blue heron, and the snowy egret, but show a preference for mangrove habitats and coastal marshes over inland marshes and sloughs.  They also seem to prefer small pools over larger bodies of water. When inhabiting freshwater areas such as Lake Okeechobee, Florida, tricolored herons are particularly attracted to areas where Hydrilla and lotus (Nelumbo lutea) grow.

Similar Species:
Juvenile little blue herons in the process of molting may show dark blue wings and a white belly, but would also have a scattering of white feathers on the back and neck, which does not occur in tricolored herons.

Range:  
Tricolored herons occur along the Atlantic coast from Massachusetts south through Florida, the Gulf of Mexico and much of South America.