The Tricolored Heron is found year-round in North American Continent coastal plains region, and are found near to the coasts, from below the bottom of Texas around the Gulf, all of Florida, and up the eastern seaboard to Massachusetts.

This heron is fairly numerous along the coastal areas and less so in more inland freshwater marshes, Too, this heron often stalks in deep water both alone and in groups.

This heron has a long, slender neck and bill. They are blue-gray above with a white belly, and fore neck, but have a pale rump. During breeding, this heron has long plumes on their head and back. Also, this heron has yellowish legs.

The immature tricolored heron has a rusty neck and wing coverts.

The Tricolor Heron is much smaller than the Great Blue Heron but slightly larger than the Little Blue Heron.