I saw an egret coexisting for a short while with a heron on a tree. Is this a little blue heron or a tricoloured heron?
These are not the best shots because of the direction of the light and cloud cover. I could not go elsewhere. It was facing land and I was in a kayak.
Still looks smaller than the egret.
In the above picture the heron appears to have a white underbelly. It looks like maybe a bit of a stripe down from its neck to its chest, but not the best angle to see. The eye seems reddish with yellow around it. The feathers around the head appear to be mostly grey with more purplish tones in the back of the head. The sun poked out from the clouds and we have a better view of its colours.
I am guessing this means this is a tricoloured heron. Correct me if I am wrong. What do you think? Either way it is the first time I have seen a tricoloured or a little blue.
Sharon's Iconic Travel Photography Blog 
Definitely Tricolored heron, but a large one. The ones I’ve seen are usually skinnier, but otherwise exactly like the picture.
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I guess eats well on this Maryland bay.
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They’re great shots even if you were in a kayak!
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Because of where it was facing, land, I could not get a good angle on it. It did not cooperate and face me😃.
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Congratulations on having found a life bird, Sharon! I love seeing herons and egrets in trees, which makes them appear even more imposing than usual.
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Some other birds to see at Assateague than I can normally find in NY. Makes the trip worth it in another way.
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I agree with you that the small heron with the egret is a Tricolored Heron. They summer along the Atlantic Seaboard as do many humans! I don’t know if you are an experienced birder but if you have a working knowledge of avians I would suggest the Sibley Field Guides to the area you are in. Great photos of these and also of Green Herons, eagles, etc. Stewart
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Just a beginner. Been following birds in the last 5 years or so. Mostly been watching owls and eagles but looking at more now. Thanks for the info. I have seen a couple of hybrids the past year with ducks and geese. I sent pictures of one to Cornell asking them what it was for sure and they never got back to me. They probably get so many questions.
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