Tricolored Heron,Egretta tricolor.
A single bird was observed by Russell Graham at the state fish hatchery in Benton County
on July 2-3, 1987. Written documentation was approved by the Arkansas Bird Records Committee.
Cattle Egret,Bubulcus ibis.
April 16 to October 27+. Common transient and local summer resident. The first nesting
record occurred in 1984 when a colony with 37 nests was found near Lincoln, and more
than 100 adults were observed at this site on May 17, 1985 (same location as nesting
Little Blue Herons, above). More than 1000 Cattle Egrets roosted in this colony site
in late August 1984. At least 3,500 were roosting at Bob Kidd Lake on September 27, 1987.
A few, scattered November sightings are on file.
Green-backed Heron,Butorides striatus.
April 10 to October 14. Common migrant and summer resident along the edges of forested
impoundments and forested streams throughout the region. During late summer and early
fall this species gathers in small flocks of a dozen or so birds at places where there
is an abundance of aquatic prey.