Little Blue Heron
Immature
Scientific Classification
: Animalia : Chordata : Aves : Ciconiiformes : Ardeidae : Egretta : caerulea
Binomial name
Egretta caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758)

The Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, is a small heron. It is a resident breeder in the Caribbean including the Gulf states of the USA. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range, as far as the border with Canada.

The Little Blue 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. 3-7 eggs are laid.

This species is about 60 cm long, with a 102 cm wingspan. It is a medium-large, long-legged, heron with a long pointed blue or greyish bill with a black tip.

Breeding adult birds have blue-grey plumage except for the head and neck, which ae purplish and have long blue filamentous plumes. The legs and feet are dark blue. Sexes are similar back.

Non-breeding adults have dark blue head and neck plumage and paler legs. Young birds are all white except for dark wing tips and have yellowish legs. They gradually acquire blue plumage as they mature.

Adult

The Little Blue Heron stalks its prey methodically in shallow water, often running as it does so. It eats fish, crustaceans and insects.