Arkansas has been home to 10 of the 17 species of herons that live in North America on a regular basis. There’s also a rare or unintentional addition of 1. This guide will assist you recognize and understand about these long-legged birds.
Herons, which may be found in saltwater, fresh water, or scoping your backyard pond for a quick snack, are water-loving birds.
Nonetheless, many of your fish herons are protected, so a net is the best option if you’re having difficulty finding them.
Herons prefer to hunt alone, often nesting in huge colonies known as heronries before waiting or dashing about to attract the prey.
A group of herons is given a surprising number of names, including “rookery,” “battery,” “hedge,” “siege,” and even “pose” and “scattering.”
You may learn more about the ducks, swans, or pelicans that you may see in Arkansas if you enjoy seeing waterbirds.
11 Species Of Heron In Arkansas
1. Great Blue Heron
Throughout the year, Great Blue Herons may be seen in Arkansas. Birdwatchers in the state submitted checklists for 15% of summer and 18% of winter, and they are found in 15% of them.
The largest heron native to North America, Great Blue Herons are huge, majestic birds.
From the front of their eyes to the back of their heads, they have a white face with a black crest or plume. Their bills are orange-yellow in color.
They have grayish-blue bodies and long gray legs with a long grey neck with black and white streaking in the front.
- Ardea herodias
- Length: 46 – 52 in (117 – 132 cm)
- Weight: 128 oz (3628 g)
- Wingspan: 77 – 82 in (196 – 208 cm)
Most Great Blue Herons stay in the United States throughout the year, although they do migrate south during breeding seasons.
In Florida, the Great Blue Heron is divided into two subspecies: the Great White Heron.
Great Blue Herons may be found in a variety of wetland habitats. Fresh and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, flooded marshes, lake edges, and shorelines are all possible habitats for them.
Fish, frogs, salamanders, shrimps, crabs, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and other aquatic insects make up the majority of Great Blue Herons’ diets.
While wading or standing in the water, they capture their prey. Hovering above water, diving into it, leaping feet-first from perches, and floating on the surface are some of their other abilities.
Great Blue Heron colonies are located high up in trees near water, where they build nests. Twigs and sticks are lined with softer material to make the nests.
Since Great Blue Herons rebuild and expand their nests over time, they may gradually increase in size.
Next, the female deposits two to seven eggs. For around four weeks, both parents incubate the eggs.
Fun Fact: With their heads thrown back and their wings outstretched, Great Blue Herons defend their feeding area with dramatic displays.
2. Great Egret
Throughout the year, Great Egrets may be seen in Arkansas, but their numbers rise from April to October. Summer checklists include them in 7% of their lists, while winter checklists have them in 4%.
Males have neon green face skin and long, wispy feathers (aigrettes) extending from their backs to their tails during the breeding season, which they display during courting, much like a peacock flares out its tail. Great Egrets are at their best during this time of year.
They’re called Great White Herons because they’re huge, all-white herons. Common egrets is another name for them. White with dagger-like, long, bright yellow beaks and long, black legs and feet, these huge birds are imposing.
Non-breeding males, girls, and juveniles are all similar in appearance.
- Ardea alba
- Length: 37 – 41 in (94 – 104cm)
- Weight: 59.96 oz (1699 g)
- Wingspan: 54 – 55 in (137 – 140 cm)
The Great Egret’s global range is tremendous. Those in the southern and coastal states have a year-round existence, although those in the interior and Canada move south.
Great Egrets may be found in both freshwater and saltwater marshes, as well as fish ponds, but they are difficult to spot.
Fish, frogs, small mammals, crustaceans, and insects make up the majority of the diet of Great Egrets. Great Egrets stand motionless on the water, waiting for their prey to appear and then striking and spearing it with their long bills.
Great Egret nests may be seen in colonies. To keep the nests safe from predators like raccoons, they are often placed high in trees, especially on islands.
Great Egret colonies have nests. To protect their nests from predators like raccoons, they are frequently placed high up in trees, preferably on islands.
Sticks, twigs, and marsh plant stems are used to create them. Females lay six eggs, which are incubated for around twenty-five days by both parents.
Fun Fact: Because of their long white feathers (aigrettes), the Great Egret was rapidly hunted to extinction.
3. Green Heron
From April to October, Green Herons are most often seen in Arkansas during mating season. Summer checklists have 9% of them.
The glossy green-black color of the crowns, crests, backs, and wings of green herons makes them seem to be bent and gloomy from a distance, but you have to come closer to appreciate this.
During the breeding season, their bills turn black, with two-toned dark on top and yellow at the bottom. Their irises and legs, too, change to orange as they age.
Chestnut or maroon are the colors of their heads, necks, and breasts. The front part of the neck is striped in white, starting from the front. Gray is the color of their bellies.
Browner with black caps and a crest, juveniles are darker.
- Butorides virescens
- Length: 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm)
- Weight: 9.17 oz (260 g)
- Wingspan: 25 – 26 in (64 – 66 cm)
Before migrating south, Green Herons breed mostly in the eastern United States and the Pacific Coast. Those in the Gulf Coast, Caribbean, and Mexico, on the other hand, are year-round.
Green Herons can be found in damp environments with thick vegetation, such as bogs, marshes, lakes, and ponds. They may stay in dry woods or orchards if there are water sources nearby, despite their preferences for coastal and inland wetlands.
Little fish, insects, spiders, crustaceans, snails, amphibians, reptiles, and rodents make up the diet of Green Herons. Instead of wading, they hunt from the coast by perching on sticks over the water.
Green Heron nests are made of tall, slender twigs high in the trees over water, and they may be found beneath bushes on the ground as well.
Females lay two to six eggs every two days, in a 2-day cycle. The last egg is laid, and both parents begin incubating, which takes approximately twenty days. When they hatch, they both feed their offspring.
Fun Facts: Bait, such as bread, feathers, twigs, and leaves, is used by green herons to catch their food. (Davis and Kushlan, 1994) This is one of the few bird species that do so.
4. Little Blue Heron
Arkansas is home to Little Blue Herons, who are seen in 3% of summer checklists. From March to October, they may be seen, although a few may linger until December.
Little Blue Herons, despite their small size, are large birds. With long, extended bodies, they range in size from medium to big. With dangling feathers across the nape, their heads and necks have a purplish hue.
During the breeding season, their eyes can turn gray-green. Two-toned – pale blue or grayish with black tips – their long, dagger-like bills are two-toned. Slate-blue is the color of their skin. Their legs are black to grayish green and are fairly long.
Before turning a combination of dark gray, blue, and white, juvenile Little Blue Herons are completely white during their first year.
- Egretta caerulea
- Length: 24 – 29 in (61 – 74 cm)
- Weight: 16.22 oz (460 g)
- Wingspan: 40 – 41 in (102 – 104 cm)
Before heading south, Little Blue Herons breed in the eastern United States, but those living along the Gulf Coast and Mexico stay throughout the year.
Whether in bogs, marshes, ponds, streams, lagoons, tidal flats, canals, ditches, fish hatcheries, or flooded fields around watery areas such as swamps and marshes.
In comparison to other herons, Little Blue Herons forage in a more elegant manner. They simply stand and wait in shallow waters for their prey, rather than dashing about across the water.
Fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, spiders, crustaceans, mice, and insects are among the foods that Little Blue Herons consume. Adults prefer to go alone, whereas juveniles like to hang out with mixed groups.
Little Blue Heron nests are constructed of sticks and, like other heron species, are found in colonies. It can lay up to six eggs in a lifetime. For up to twenty-four days, both parents share in the incubation process.
Fun Fact: The presence of Juvenile Little Blue Herons among Snowy Egrets allows them to capture more fish and gain additional protection from predators since they have white coloring.
5. Snowy Egret
From March to November, snowy egrets may be seen in Arkansas, with 2% of summer checklists listing them.
These are little all-white herons known as snowy egrets. Their irises are yellow, and their skin is around the eye is long, black beaks are long, black legs. And their feet are bright yellow.
Long, lacy feathers appear on their heads, necks, and backs during the breeding season. During courtship, their lores or face skin become reddish-pink, and their toes become orange-red.
Surprisingly, during violent encounters, these regions of their bodies become bright red.
After the head plumes, juveniles are similar to adults. Their lores and legs are also greener-yellow, and the colors on their bills and legs are lighter.
- Egretta thula
- Length: 22 – 27 in (56 -69 cm)
- Weight: 16.75 oz (475 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4 in (100 cm)
Save for the Gulf Coast and the southwest coast, snowy egrets migrate throughout most of the United States. Throughout Mexico, Central and South America, they live all year.
Snowy Egrets may be found in marshes, riverbanks, lakesides, pools, salt marshes, and estuaries in shallow wetland environments. They prefer marshland with sheltering trees and plants for nesting.
Fish, crustaceans, snails, frogs, and crayfish are all hunted by snowy egrets in shallow water. They may rest and wait for prey to come to them or, alternatively, cause the water to churn in order for their prey to be easier for them to capture.
Males choose the nests of Snowy Egrets. To attract their mates, they choose a location and put on a full display. The males continue to provide sticks, sedges, or reeds when they pair up, and the females construct the nest.
Nesting is most commonly done on the ground in trees or hidden in shrubs. Both parents incubate their eggs alternately, and the female lays two to six eggs. The average twenty-four-day incubation period is common.
Fun Fact: Because of their beautiful white head feathers, snowy egrets were nearly hunted to extinction because they were such a perfect addition to women’s hats.
6. Cattle Egret
From April to October, Cattle Egrets may be seen in Arkansas during the breeding season. Summer checklists include them at a rate of 2%.
Cattle Egrets employ a clever technique of catching their prey…they stand on the backs of cattle and catch the moving prey as the cattle walk and create dust.
With white bodies and pale orange-brown patches on their heads, necks, and backs, Cattle Egrets are small, short-necked egrets.
Their irises and face skin are yellow. They have greenish-black legs and small yellow beaks. Males and females have a similar appearance.
During the breeding season, Cattle Egrets change color and become brighter, particularly on their legs and face.
Their faint orange patches darken during the breeding season. At the peak of their courting, their bills, legs, and irises turn bright red, while their facial skin (lores) becomes pinkish-red.
- Bubulcus ibis
- Length: 19 – 21 in (48 – 53 cm)
- Weight: 17.98 oz (510 g)
- Wingspan: 36 – 38 in (91 – 97 cm)
Cattle Egrets may be found across the globe, but those in Mexico, the Gulf Coast, and southwestern US states remain year-round.
Breeding, on the other hand, moves south after it has occurred further north, primarily in eastern US states.
Cattle Egrets may be seen in native grasslands, pastureland, farmland, and rice paddocks wherever hoofed animals are present.
They do venture into the edges of aquatic environments, such as riverbanks, ponds, and shallow marshes, despite their preference for staying on land and atop cattle. Golf courses, lawns, sporting fields, garbage dumps, and parks are among the places where they may be found.
Insects, primarily grasshoppers, crickets, flies, beetles, and moths comprise the diet of Cattle Egrets. Spider, frogs, small snakes, lizards, earthworms, and fish are among the animals they consume.
Cattle Egret nests are commonly built in woodlands near lakes or rivers, in marshes, or on tiny islands. They’re made of sticks and reeds and are usually placed in colonies.
Females lay up to nine eggs, which take around twenty-five days to hatch. The young take around 45 days to fledge, become self-sufficient, and develop into full fledged adults.
Fun Fact: Rather than correcting for light refraction when feeding in water, the Cattle Egret’s eyes have evolved to tolerate foraging on land by having binocular vision.
7. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
In Arkansas, yellow-crowned night-herons are a rare or accidental species, but they have been observed in the summer, mostly from April to August.
The crowns of adult Yellow-crowned Night Herons are yellow, with two plumes protruding from their heads. The bills are big and black in color. Their remaining heads are black, with a little white patch on the sides below their eyes.
When they grew up, their eyes became red, ranging from yellow to orange to red.
Their wings are scaled and their bodies are gray-blue. During the breeding season, their legs elongate and become yellow before turning coral, pink, or red.
With a scaled pattern on their wings, their bodies are gray-blue. During the breeding season, their legs grow longer and turn coral, pink, or red.
All juveniles are grayish-brown with white streaks and spots on their body. It takes three years for them to reach adulthood.
- Nyctanassa violacea
- Length: 22 – 28 in (56 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 25.6 oz ( 726 g)
- Wingspan: 42 0 44 in (107 – 112 cm)
Before moving south, yellow-crowned night-herons breed mostly in southern states. Throughout Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America, they stay throughout the year.
In coastal places with a lot of crustaceans, shallow waters, and significant edges on which to feed, you may find Yellow-crowned Night-herons at dawn and dusk.
The majority of Yellow-crowned Night-herons’ diets include crabs and crayfish. Fish, insects, worms, mollusks, lizards, snakes, rats, and birds are also consumed by them. Little prey can be gulped down instantly by these creatures.
Crabs are often killed by crushing their bodies or disemboweling them.
Yellow-crowned Night-herons nests are often seen in small, loosely clustered colonies, but they always construct their nests near water. Both parents make the nests, which are composed of softened grasses, leaves, or moss.
The eggs are then incubated for roughly three weeks by the pair of them. The chicks are fed through regurgitation when they hatch. They fledge after about a month, and at fifty days, they are capable of flight on their own.
Fun Fact: A deadly mosquito-borne virus (eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus) can kill horses and humans, and yellow-crowned night-herons may carry it.
8. Black-crowned Night-Heron
During the breeding season and autumn migration, black-crowned night-herons have been seen in Arkansas, albeit they are not particularly common.
The classic description of the heron family does not apply to Black-crowned Night-Herons, or simply Night Heron. It has a shorter beak, neck, and legs than the other species.
The crowns of adult black-crowned night-herons extend from a white line above their black bills, and they have black bills.
The lores (area in front of the eye, towards the beak) are green-blue, and their eyes are red. The bottom is white, while the back is deeper. They have yellow legs and feet.
The head and back turn glossy blue-green during the breeding season, with two or three white feathers appearing on the crown. Legs and feet become red or pink, and the lores turn black as well.
The overall color of juveniles is dull grayish-brown with streaking and spots.
- Nycticorax nycticorax
- Length: 25 – 28 in (64 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 38.8 oz (1100 g)
- Wingspan: 44 – 45 in (112 – 114 cm)
Around the world, black-crowned nightherons have a wide range. Before moving south, they breed in the United States and Canada. Along the coasts, some may be found year-round.
Wetland habitats such as shallow freshwater or brackish rivers are home to Black-crowned Night-herons. Artificial habitats, such as reservoirs, canals, and fish ponds, are also utilized.
In preparation for selecting their mates, black-crowned night-heron males build nests in bushes or trees.
The female will lay up to seven eggs every two days, spaced out at 2-day intervals. For about twenty-four days after they are laid, both parents begin to incubate the eggs. For around three weeks, the parents will look after their kid.
Fun Fact: For more than a century, the National Zoo in Washington, DC has hosted a colony of Black-crowned Night-herons during their summers.
9. American Bittern
Migrating across Arkansas, American Bitterns are not particularly uncommon here.
The weird watery boom calls of the American Bittern may be heard long before you see them, if you’re lucky. Here are a few samples…
The Heron family includes American Bitterns, which are large, solitary birds.
Because of their brown striped and mottled patterning, as well as their ability to remain motionless amid the reeds with their head tilted up, they resemble the reeds they conceal in.
They have short legs and yellow eyes that turn orange during mating.
- Botaurus lentiginosus
- Length: 23 in (58 cm)
- Weight: 25.6 oz (726 g)
- Wingspan: 42 – 50 in (107 – 127 cm)
Before heading to the Gulf Coast and Mexico, American Bitterns breed in Canada and northern US states.
Shallow, freshwater marshes and wetlands with tall reeds are almost always home to American Bitterns.
To discover them, train your eyes on the margins of lakes and ponds amid the rough vegetation.
Fish, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, and small mammals make up the American Bitterns’ diet. They lurk among the reeds, staying motionless and quiet, until their victim gets closer before dashing forward swiftly to capture them in their beaks.
On the water, amid coarse vegetation, American Bittern nests may be discovered. With available reeds, sedges, cattails, and other vegetation, females pick the nest location and construct it themselves.
They produce up to seven eggs, which are incubated for around twenty-six days. Females feed the chicks directly into their beaks when they are hatched. They fledge the nest after two weeks and are fully developed at around six to seven weeks.
Fun Fact: Like the reeds that conceal them, American Bitterns point upwards and sway gently from side to side.
10. Least Bittern
During the breeding season, from April to October, least bitterns are not found in Arkansas, although they may be seen in southern Arkansas.
In the reeds, you may hear Least Bitterns before you see them, because they are the smallest herons in North America.
Their yellow beak is brown and white, with a black top and black cap. The reeds are gripped with their lengthy toes and claws.
Females and juveniles have lighter backs and crowns than males do, but they are otherwise similar.
- Ixobrychus exilis
- Length: 11 – 14 in (28 – 36 cm)
- Weight: 3 oz (85 g)
- Wingspan: 16 – 18 in (41 – 46 cm)
The majority of Little Bitterns’ range is in Europe and Africa, however they do visit North America on occasion.
Least Bitterns may be found in marshes with abundant tall cattails and reeds, as well as dense freshwater and brackish marshlands. When they settle on reeds, look for them.
They’ll instantly stiffen up, elevate their bills to the sky, and sway in time with the reeds when they sense danger.
Little fish, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, slugs, dragonflies, aquatic bugs, and occasionally mice make up the diet of Least Bitterns. They situate themselves on the reeds, doing acrobatic contortions to reach their prey and avoid being seen by predators.
The female of the Least Bitterns builds well-concealed nests from cattails and marsh vegetation. The eggs are laid by her and incubated by both parents for around twenty days. They then regurgitate food for newly-hatched chicks.
Fun Fact: Long necks and a hunchbacked posture characterize Least Bitterns.
11. Tricolored Heron
During the summer, from April to October, you may see Tricolored Herons in Arkansas, although they are not very common.
The white belly and neck stripe of a Tricolored Heron distinguishes it from other herons.
Adults that are not breeding have a mixture of blue-gray, purple, and white feathers. Yellowish or greyish in color, their bills have a black tip. They have yellow or olive green legs and feet.
Adults’ back feathers from the crown of their heads grow thin, and the base of their beaks turns blue as they mature. On their necks and backs, they have finer feathers. Their legs, too, turn a rich red hue.
The neck, upper breasts, upper back, and wings of juveniles are more reddish-brown.
- Egretta tricolor
- Length: 24 – 26 in (61 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 14.6 oz (414 g)
- Wingspan: 36 in (91 cm)
Throughout the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and northern South America, tricolored Herons may be seen throughout the year. Those who breed farther north along the Atlantic Coast move south as well.
Throughout the Gulf Coast, Mexico, and northern South America, tricolored Herons may be seen all year. Those who breed farther north in the Atlantic Coast move south.
Freshwater and brackish marshes, estuaries, and coastal tidal pools or swamps are all habitats for Tricolored Herons.
Tricolored Herons are territorial feeders and protect their feeding areas. Other wading birds may be chased away from their area, and they enjoy eating little fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects.
Watch for them to stalk, pursue, stand, and wait for their victim. Before striking, they crouch low in the water, with their bellies pressed against the surface and their necks drawn in.
Tricolored Heron nests are constructed of sticks and grow in groups on trees and shrubs. After that, the female lays three to five eggs, and both parents care for them for three weeks before they hatch. The little ones are also fed by both of them.
Fun Fact: The lone black-colored heron with a white belly, the Tricolored Heron was formerly named the Louisiana Heron.
How Frequently Herons Are Spotted In Arkansas In Summer And Winter
Checklists are a fantastic way to determine which birds you may commonly see in your region. During the summer and winter in Arkansas, these lists show which herons are most often seen on ebird checklists.
Herons in Arkansas in summer:
Great Blue Heron 15.1%
Green Heron 9.2%
Great Egret 7.9%
Little Blue Heron 2.9%
Cattle Egret 2.5%
Snowy Egret 2.0%
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 0.6%
Least Bittern 0.3%
Black-crowned Night-Heron 0.3%
American Bittern 0.2%
Tricolored Heron 0.1%
Herons in Arkansas in winter:
Great Blue Heron 18.3%
Great Egret 4.4%
Cattle Egret <0.1%
American Bittern <0.1%
Black-crowned Night-Heron <0.1%
Green Heron <0.1%
Snowy Egret <0.1%
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron <0.1%
Little Blue Heron <0.1%
Least Bittern <0.1%
Tricolored Heron <0.1%