North America’s rarest heron, the reddish egret (Egretta rufescens), can be found right here on Sanibel. Known for its spectacular, picturesque foraging behavior, there are an estimated 15,000 breeding reddish egrets in the world, with 2,400 in the U.S., and just 350 to 400 pairs in Florida. 

Reddish egrets are listed as a state-threatened species in Florida. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists them as near-threatened, in large part due to their patchy distribution in coastal habitats. While threats to reddish egrets are not well understood, coastal development, nesting disturbance, decline of genetic diversity, and increased vulnerability to predators are of concern. 

“One of the most unique characteristics of the reddish egret is that they have a couple of different color morphs,” said SCCF Shorebird Technician Aaron White. “The typical reddish egret, known as the dark morph, has a blue-gray body, a cinnamon neck and head, and a pink-and-black bi-color bill. The white morph, which became rarer due to the feather trade, differs by having entirely white plumage.”

The most distinctive behavioral feature of the reddish egret is its foraging technique. Hunting in marine flats and along shorelines, these egrets perform a wide variety of body and wing movements — running and sometimes jumping through shallow water while hunting for small fish and crustaceans. 

“They also use a creative strategy known as ‘canopy shading,’ where the bird maneuvers its wings to create a shady spot in the water to draw in prey that instinctively seek out shade,” White said. 

During nesting season, reddish egrets nest in large colonial rookeries with other species, in small groups, or in isolated pairs. 

“Locally, they nest on rookery islands in Pine Island Sound. Their nests are made of sticks and are built as a platform-like structure on mangrove keys,” White said. “Since they require quality foraging grounds where their technique is successful, they are restricted to reproduction in these areas.” 

Help Protect Reddish Egrets

It’s easy to enjoy the presence of reddish egrets, and it can be especially entertaining to watch the canopy shading behavior. However, the SCCF shorebird team reminds residents and visitors to Southwest Florida that observing these birds is best done from a respectable distance. 

“Humans and their pets are looked at as predators by birds and getting too close can flush them away from important feeding opportunities,” White said.

It’s also important to support the preservation and restoration of the shoreline mangrove habitats that reddish egrets rely on to forage, nest, and reproduce.