This small heron is considered a fairly common and widespread species in Costa Rica, but in our area the Angostura Dam is again the place to find it. The individual in the photo gallery below (all photos courtesy of John Beer) has been present at this location for quite a while. The species seems to breed mostly in northern Florida yet was formerly called the Louisiana Heron.

The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) is superficially similar to the adult of the much more common Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea). However, the white belly and the colour of the bill dispel any doubts about identification. Compare with this Little Blue Heron photographed at the same location:

Confusion might just be possible when the immature Little Blue Heron is moulting from its initially white plumage to acquire its full adult appearance. Today’s final photograph shows one such individual: