Egret or heron – what bird am I looking at? This thought commonly goes through the minds of beginning birders, as discerning the difference between egret and heron birds can be challenging. Indeed, both herons and egrets are among the most recognizable birds in the world thanks to their large size and bold plumage. Despite their popularity, many struggle to differentiate egrets and herons. Is there a true difference between an egret bird vs heron, and if so, how can someone tell which bird they’re observing?
Though discerning between herons and egrets can indeed be difficult, this article will guide those hoping to make a positive ID. Keep reading as I describe the similarities and differences between a heron vs egret.
So, what is the difference between a heron and an egret? Let’s find out!
Table of Contents
Egret Vs Heron Taxonomy
Before discussing characteristics, it is important to understand the taxonomy of these birds. Most people understand that herons and egrets look quite similar to one another, but did you know that they are in the same taxonomic family? It’s true! They are both members of the Ardeidae family – a grouping that includes 72 species of herons, egrets, and bitterns.
While it is easy to see how bitterns differ from herons and egrets, the difference between an egret vs heron is not so plain to see. What characteristics can help in identification?
Heron Vs Egret Characteristics
Noting the behavior, shape, size, plumage, and coloration of a bird can help lead to a successful identification. Let’s examine these characteristics and see if they can assist with the egret vs heron identification conundrum:
Characteristics of Egrets
Egrets are variable in their size, with some species standing barely more than 2 feet tall and others being well over 3 feet tall. Most have slim bodies, long legs, spear-like bills, and lengthy necks, but the Cattle Egret with its stocky body is an exception to this rule. Egrets use their bill to subdue fish and other prey.
Many egret species sport extravagant feathers known as plumes during the breeding season. These feathers are so dazzling that they nearly led to the demise of many egret and heron species.
Generally, egrets tend to be more plain than herons. Indeed, there are plenty of egret species that have white plumage with little additional color. However, this is not the case for all species.
Characteristics of Herons
Knowing some differences in appearance can often help birders in their quests to identify a bird. So, are there any characteristics that help with the heron vs egret identification challenge?
Alas, birders will find that herons possess all of the same characteristics as their egret counterparts. Most are long-legged wading birds with tapered bills and gangly necks. However, night-herons are stocky and do not conform to the standards of most herons.
Herons rock plumes during the breeding season just as egrets do. They tend to possess more colorful plumage than egrets. While many egrets muted colors like white, grey, and black, herons often have plumage that features more color. However, this is not always the case. You’ll want to keep reading before you claim that a bird is a heron because it sports colorful plumage.
Egret Vs Heron Differences
So, if you see a large, white wading bird, would it be safe to identify this bird as an egret rather than a heron? Making such an identification would not be a wise decision, as color alone simply is not enough to confirm the identification when considering an egret vs heron. Indeed, there are simply too many exceptions to the generalization that states that egrets are white and herons are not. Let’s look at some examples:
White Heron Examples
One look at these species will show you that herons can be white like many egrets:
- Juvenile Little Blue Heron
- Great Blue Heron (white form)
- Capped Heron
Colorful Egret Examples
You might hear that herons—and not egrets—are colorful, but these exceptions certainly defy that notion:
- Reddish Egret
- Slaty Egret
Differentiating Between An Egret Vs Heron
Identifying a heron vs egret based on the color of a bird’s plumage is not a reliable way of making an accurate identification. In fact, there is not an obvious difference between egret and heron species that makes identification easy.
Instead, birders will need to take the plumage, coloration, behavior, size, and shape of a bird into account when trying to discern between an egret bird vs heron.
Blue Heron Vs Egret
Blue herons are one of the most familiar birds. It’s easy to gather that blue herons are not egrets, but why is this the case – what is the difference between a blue heron vs egret?
Well, as with other egret or heron debates, the difference between heron and egret is a gray area. Blue herons are usually colorful, but they may also be white like many egrets.
Where Can I Find Egrets and Herons?
An assortment of aquatic habitats may yield these birds. The Reddish Egret and Western Reef-Heron are found along the coasts of oceans, while Great Blue Herons and Little Egrets reside in freshwater wetlands and rivers.
Most herons and egrets are easily found throughout their range. Much like flamingos, they tend to forage in the open. This often makes these animals easy to observe.
In the United States, the greatest heron diversity exists in states like Texas and Florida.
Birds That Look Like Herons Or Egrets
Now that we’ve discussed some differences in the egret vs heron struggle, let’s talk about some birds that look like herons or egrets. That’s right – as if birders didn’t have enough of a hard time telling the difference between egret and heron species, they must also contend with species that look similar to these birds. Moreover, these similar birds also happen to occur in many of the same habitats in which egrets and herons are found. This means that birders have to be diligent in their quest to separate herons and egrets from lookalikes. So, what are some birds that look like herons and egrets?
Well, there are a few birds that look similar to an egret or heron. The birds that cause the most confusion and mistaken identifications are cranes. Cranes look similar to herons and egrets, as they are both tall, lanky wading birds with long necks. Cranes can often be found in marshes and wetlands like their egret and heron counterparts. However, cranes are also found foraging in agricultural fields – a habitat in which egrets and herons are not typically found. When considering whether you’re observing a heron vs egret, you will likely also have to think about cranes.
Spoonbills are another type of bird that looks similar to a heron or egret. Additionally, spoonbills are found in shallow water habitats just like egrets and herons. However, unlike cranes, it is easy to differentiate a spoonbill from a heron or egret thanks to the large, spoon-shaped bills that these birds have.
The last creature that looks like an egret or heron that is worth mentioning is a stork. You know, the birds that supposedly deliver babies but actually kill their own babies.
Although it is difficult to tell the difference between egrets and herons, it is easy to distinguish a stork from these birds. Although storks are sizable like many herons and egrets, they tend to have longer and thicker bills. While they can often be found in similar habitats, storks do not tend to have as strong of ties to water as herons and egrets.
Are Herons and Egrets Related To Cranes?
Herons and Egrets are not related to cranes! Although all of these birds are large birds that are often found in wetlands, cranes are in a different family than egrets and herons. You can read more about these differences here.
Conclusion
Many struggle to differentiate a heron from an egret. While you may hope to classify a bird as one or the other, the truth is that there is no true difference between egrets and herons. – these birds look the same, share many behaviors, and eat the same things. Egrets are herons, as these birds have the same characteristics and belong to the same family. Some will tell you that egrets are white while herons are colorful, but there are many exceptions to this rule. When it comes to egrets vs. herons, it may be best to simply accept that some birds are better left unidentified.