Reddish Egret (Egretta rufescens), El Rio Preserve, Pima County

This Reddish Egret was found by Janine McCabe on 08 October 2018 photographed by Pat Goltz on the same date and by Ken Murphy on 14 October 2018.

Casual summer/fall visitor in Arizona. Nearly all records pertain to juveniles and are likely from nesting areas along the Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California) in Mexico. This has been a good year for the species in Arizona with at least 8 documented.

A medium-sized heron, larger than Snowy Egret but much smaller than Great Blue Heron. Juveniles have an overall odd, creamy dark gray coloration with patchy pale rusty tones to head, neck, breast and wings; dark legs and dark, long straight bill; contrasting pale eyes.

08 October 2018, photo by Pat Goltz

14 October 2018, photo by Ken Murphy

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