The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) formerly known in North America as the Louisiana Heron, is a small heron. It is a resident breeder from the Gulf states of the USA and northern Mexico south through Central America and the Caribbean to central Brazil and Peru. There is some post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range. Tricolored Heron's breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, 3–7 eggs are typically laid. Wikipedia®

Tricolored Fledglings Play Fighting. They'd chase each other around and get into mock battles both between each other and other running fledgling Tricolored Herons. It was quite fun to watch them doing Beak Judo.

Tricolored Heron Fledglings resting in a tree after running around chasing each other games. The tree is not far from the pond in the back of Gatorland Zoo where there are many tourists taking in a cheap day from Walt Disney and Seaworld. The ponds behind Gatorland has one of the best wading bird rookeries in existence visited by birders from around the world. Many wonder why wading birds would build their nests above ponds infested with hundreds of Alligators just waiting for a baby to fall. The reason is the gators keep many other predators away like raccoon, snakes and Opossum who can climb into the nests while the Gators only get what falls.

Tricolored Heron Fledglings running up and down the railings at Gatorland where the tourists usually stand. There were 8 or 9 of them all seemingly playing the same game. When two or more groups came together, there would be squawking and banter until they made it passed each other. Quite a humorous time and one of the reasons these wading birds are some of my favorites.

Tricolored Heron in the heavier undergrowth posing in the late afternoon behind Gatorland. The Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) formerly known in North America as the Louisiana Heron, is a small heron. Tricolored Heron's breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. In each clutch, 3–7 eggs are typically laid.

Tricolored Heron Fledgling posing for a portrait behind the Gatorland ponds

Fledgling Tricolor Heron seems to be stuck on a branch, a little too scared to try flying again, and not really trusting that branch with all those alligators awaiting underneath. He's probably witnessed some of his brethren providing a supper for a hungry Alligator.

Tricolor Heron flying over Gatorland ponds.

Even this late in the year, the rookery is still going strong. We're seeing a lot of late arriving Tricolors and the Great Blue Heron's are just nesting. The Cattle Egret Fledglings are in huge supply and making a racket.

Tricolor Grunge

Juvenile Tricolor Heron just leaving the nest and learning to fly

Tricolor Heron Hen Portrait with pinkish coloration to her beak. Very pretty, I think. The babies were close by.

Tricolor Heron Chick Hides in his Nest in the rookeries behind Gatorland

Tricolor Herons and Sibling Rivalry - Someone's got to go.

Tricolored Heron Chick at Gatorland

Tri-Colored Heron juvenile poking up from his nest.

Tricolor Heron Perched at Viera Wetlands

Tricolor Heron Perched at Viera Wetlands

Trycolor Heron at Viera