A heron, Egretta rufescens, occurring in both a dark phase (blue-grey with a reddish-brown head and neck) and a white phase, found in southern North America.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Thomas Pennant (1726–1798), naturalist, traveller, and writer.
Definition of reddish egret in US English:
reddish egret
noun
A heron, Egretta rufescens, occurring in both a dark phase (blue-grey with a reddish-brown head and neck) and a white phase, found in southern North America.
Origin
Late 18th century; earliest use found in Thomas Pennant (1726–1798), naturalist, traveller, and writer.