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Puerto Rico's wetlands, coasts, and forests are home to an incredible diversity of heron species. From the huge Great Blue Heron stalking lagoons, to the diminutive Green Heron blazing through vegetation, Puerto Rico provides ideal habitat for these elegant waders. Even rare endemic species like the Bare-throated Tiger Heron reside on these islands. This article explores eight of the most common and charismatic heron species found in Puerto Rico. Learn how to identify these iconic wetland birds, where to spot them on the islands, and how their populations are faring. Whether a passionate birder or casual nature lover, the amazing herons of Puerto Rico are sure to impress. Heron Species Size Habitat Great Blue Heron 46–61 in tall Coasts, marshes, rivers, lakes, ponds Tricolored Heron 22–28 in tall Freshwater and saltwater wetlands Little Blue Heron 18–22 in tall Marshes, ponds, rivers, estuaries Cattle Egret 20–26 in tall Fields, wetlands, intertidal areas Green Heron 16–19 in tall Ponds, marshes, shores Black-crowned Night-Heron 22–26 in tall Wetlands, nearshore waters Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 22–26 in tall Coasts, marshes, swamps, wetlands Bare-throated Tiger Heron 25 in tall Forest streams, mangroves 1. Great Blue Heron The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest and most widespread heron in North America. It has a slate-gray body, a whitish head with a black stripe above the eye, and a heavy yellow bill. Great Blues stand about 46–61 inches (117–155 cm) tall with a 66–79 inch (168–201 cm) wingspan. Great Blue Herons can be found near coastal areas, marshes, rivers, lakes, and ponds where they primarily eat fish, though they are opportunistic and will eat anything from rodents and insects to small reptiles and amphibians. They nest in colonies called heronries, often with other wading birds, in platforms of sticks high up in the tree canopy. Great Blues are stealthy hunters, standing motionless in shallow water before spearing prey with their specialized bill. Great Blue Herons are migratory in the northern parts of their range, but can be year-round residents in places like Puerto Rico. Their populations suffered in the 20th century from habitat loss and pesticide use but have rebounded as wetlands are protected and chemicals are regulated. They are now a common sight across North America. 2. Tricolored Heron The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor), formerly known as the Louisiana Heron, can be identified by its sleek, trim profile, slate-blue head and neck, violet-blue bill, and a mix of dark and white plumage. Adults have a white belly and chin with dark streaks down the neck and sides, white and reddish-brown wings, and dark legs with yellow toes. Tricolors average 22–28 inches (56–71 cm) in height with a 38–41 inch (97–104 cm) wingspan. They forage in shallow fresh, salt, or brackish water habitats, eating small fish, frogs, lizards, insects, and crustaceans. Long toes and lightweight bones help them stealthily stalk prey. Tricolored Herons nest in colonies of stick platforms often with other herons and egrets. They breed on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts, as well as islands like Puerto Rico. Tricoloreds are mostly non-migratory in the southeastern U.S. but northern populations migrate south in winter. Habitat loss threatens the Tricolored Heron, but its ability to live in close proximity to humans has helped the species adapt. They can be seen hunting in marshes, swamps, ponds, tidal flats and mangrove forests in Puerto Rico. 3. Little Blue Heron The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is a small heron with slate-blue body plumage, a blue-black bill, grayish legs, and white underparts. The adult Little Blue also has two elongated head plumes that drape behind the head during breeding season. Little Blues stand about 18–22 inches (46–56 cm) tall with a 31–38 inch (79–97 cm) wingspan. Despite their name, juveniles are completely white for their first year, making identification tricky. These herons live in fresh and saltwater habitats like marshes, ponds, rivers, and estuaries. Their diet consists of small fish, crustaceans, frogs, aquatic insects, and small rodents. Little Blues hunt by standing motionless or slowly stalking through shallow water before spearing prey with their bills. They build stick nests in low trees and mangroves, in breeding colonies with other wading birds. The Little Blue Heron’s range spans the southern and eastern U.S., Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. Some northern populations migrate in winter, but Little Blues are year-round residents in places like Puerto Rico. Habitat loss is a threat, but they remain widespread across their habitat. 4. Cattle Egret The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a highly adaptable, social heron that has exploded in population worldwide since the early 1900s. Identifiable by their short, thick neck and sturdy yellow bill, Cattle Egrets have a mostly-white plumage and bright orange crown and neck during breeding season. Cattle Egrets stand 20–26 inches (51–66 cm) tall with a 38–41 inch (97–104 cm) wingspan. They associate closely with livestock like cattle and horses, feeding on insects stirred up from the ground as the animals graze. Cattle Egrets also forage in fields, lawns, wetlands, and intertidal habitats for small fish, amphibians, reptiles, and arthropods. Originally from Africa, Cattle Egrets arrived in Puerto Rico in the 1950s and quickly expanded their range across the Americas. They build stick nests near water in shrubs, trees, and on manmade structures. Though adaptable, Cattle Egrets suffer from wetland habitat loss and poisoning from pesticide accumulation. 5. Green Heron The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small, skulking heron with vibrant plumage in blues, greens, and purples. Adults have a glossy green-black crown and back, rich chestnut neck and sides, and a dark greenish-black bill. Their underside is grayish with bold black and white stripes down the neck. Green Herons are 16–19 inches (41–48 cm) tall with a 25–28 inch (64–71 cm) wingspan. As their name suggests, their plumage allows them to disappear against vegetation near the ponds, marshes, and shores where they forage. Green Herons fly up and jab at small fish, frogs, aquatic insects, and crustaceans with their bills. Green Herons are solitary nesters, but occasionally form loose colonies. They build small platform nests in trees, bushes, mangroves or cattails near fresh or saltwater across North and Central America. Some populations migrate, but Green Herons are present year-round in places like Puerto Rico. These common but inconspicuous herons thrive near wetlands with plenty of vegetation. Their populations remain stable across most of their range. 6. Black-crowned Night-Heron The Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a stocky heron active at night or dusk. Adults have blackish-gray plumage on the head, back, and wings, with a black crown and white cheek and wing patches. The eyes are bright red. They have grayish undersides and a thick black bill. Black-crowned Night-Herons are about 22–26 inches (56–66 cm) tall with a 41–47 inch (104–119 cm) wingspan. They inhabit wetlands and nearshore waters where they forage at night for small fish, crustaceans, reptiles, insects, and small mammals. These crepuscular herons nest in colonies called heronries with other wading birds. They build platform nests in thick vegetation near water. Some populations migrate, but Black-crowned Night-Herons can be found year-round in places like Puerto Rico. The species is widespread, but has declined locally in parts of its range from habitat loss and degradation. Bright lights near heronries can disrupt their feeding and breeding cycles. 7. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is a stocky, short-necked heron with gray and black plumage, a thick black bill, and bright yellow head accents. Adults have a black face, gray back and wings, white belly, and yellow on the crown and sides of the head. Their eyes are red. They reach about 22–26 inches (56–66 cm) tall with a 41–47 inch (104–119 cm) wingspan. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons inhabit coastal areas, marshes, swamps, and wet woodlands near water. They forage mostly at night for crabs, crayfish, fish, frogs, and other small prey. These herons nest in colonies of ground vegetation or low bushes and trees, often with other wading birds. They are locally common along the Gulf and Atlantic Coasts, and on Caribbean islands like Puerto Rico. Some northern populations migrate in winter. Habitat loss poses the biggest threat to Yellow-crowned Night-Herons, but their adaptability helps maintain healthy populations through much of their range. Their inconspicuous nocturnal habits add mystery to these striking wetland denizens. 8. Bare-throated Tiger Heron The Bare-throated Tiger Heron (Tigrisoma mexicanum) is a slender, uniquely-patterned heron endemic to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Adults have gray-blue upperparts with black tiger-like streaks down the neck and yellow legs. The throat is white and chest is rusty-orange. The crown has elongated feathers forming a crest. Bare-throated Tiger Herons stand around 25 inches (64 cm) tall with a 37 inch (94 cm) wingspan. They prowl along shaded forest streams and mangrove edges, stabbing fish, frogs, and insects with their sharp bill. Their habitat is threatened by development and invasive species. These herons were once considered a subspecies of the widespread Bare-throated Tiger Heron. But they are now recognized as a distinct endemic species due to differences in size, plumage, vocalizations, and genetics. Bare-throated Tiger Herons build platform nests solitarily or in loose colonies in trees over water. Population estimates are only around 1,500 pairs, making them a vulnerable species. Protecting riparian forests across Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands is crucial for their future survival.

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