Cattle Egrets are often found in pastures where they feed on insects disturbed by cattle and other animals. They nest in tall shrubs and roost communally.Cattle Egrets, native to Africa, expanded their range to South America in the late 1800's and to Florida in the early 1950's. There is some concern that they are competing with herons and egrets at northern breeding grounds. Great and Snowy Egrets inhabit both fresh- and saltwater areas, while Reddish Egrets are found in areas with brackish or saltwater, usually coastal islands. All usually nest in shrubs. Great and Snowy Egrets usually forage in shallow water but may also forage in fields. Reddish Egrets may put on quite a show while foraging. They sometimes spread their wings, creating shaded areas on the water to attract fish. Usually they run through the water, head tilted to the side, leaping sideways and suddenly changing direction. The Herons are all found in both fresh- and saltwater habitats where they hunt by standing still and stabbing prey. Some consider the Great White to be a white morph of the Great Blue. 
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron, despite its name, often feeds during the day. It usually roosts in tall trees during the day. It also nests in tall trees sometimes in urban areas. The Litte Blue Heron, Tricolored Heron, Reddish Egret, and Snowy Egret are all species of special concern due to low populations numbers. The Herons are threatened by the draining of wetlands. The Egret populations fell to near zero around the turn-of-the-century due to plume hunting. Since then, habitat damage and destruction has threatened the birds. |
| name | area | season | diet/native food plants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Least Bittern | N CS | SpSu-B SpSuFW-B | fish*, aquatic invertebrates, insects |
Cattle Egret | N CS | SpSu-B SpSuFW-B | insects*, reptiles, amphibians |
| Great Egret | NCS | SpSuFW-B | aquatic invertebrates*, fish, insects |
| Reddish Egret | NCS | SpSuFW-B | fish*, aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians |
| Snowy Egret | NCS | SpSuFW-B | aquatic invertebrates*, fish, insects |
| Great Blue Heron | NCS | SpSuFW-B | fish*, aquatic invertebrates, reptiles, amphibians |
| Great White Heron | S | SpSuFW-B | fish*, aquatic invertebrates |
| Green Heron | N CS | SpSu-B SpSuFW-B | fish*, aquatic invertebrates, insects |
| Little Blue Heron | NCS | SpSuFW-B | fish*, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates, insects |
| Tricolored Heron | NCS | SpSuFW-B | fish*, amphibians, aquatic invertebrates |
| Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | NCS | SpSuFW-B | aquatic invertebrates*, fish, insects |
Sp=spring Su=summer F=fall W=winter B=breeds in Florida during season(s) underlined M=Migrant | |||
