Egretta tricolor, commonly known as the Tricolored Heron, is native to the New World, primarily found in the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. Its range extends from the eastern and southeastern USA, particularly along the Gulf Coast and as far north as the New Jersey coast, down through Mexico, the Caribbean islands, and Central America to northern parts of South America including Venezuela, Colombia, and the northern half of Brazil.

The Tricolored Heron primarily inhabits coastal environments. It is frequently found in estuarine waters, salt marshes, mangrove swamps, tidal flats, and the shores of lagoons and bays. It prefers shallow waters where it can wade in search of food. The climate in its habitat ranges from warm temperate in the northern parts of its range to tropical in the southern regions.

The Tricolored Heron thrives as a wading bird, feeding primarily on fish, crustaceans, and insects. It utilizes its long legs and neck to move through shallow waters hunting for prey. This species often exhibits solitary foraging behavior, but it can also be seen in mixed-species feeding groups. Their techniques may include standing still and waiting for prey to approach or actively stalking and chasing prey in the water.