Herons, Egrets

Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea

Family Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets)

Size: 25"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Freshwater or coastal swamps

The little blue heron is a medium-size heron that skulks along shorelines with vegetative cover, often using its wings to cast a shadow over the water to see and attract fish. It is overall slate blue with a purple cast on the neck. The bill is pale gray with a dark tip, and the legs are greenish. The juvenile is all white with small, dark tips on the primaries, and it can be confused with other white herons. The adult is illustrated.