Bird’s ID – Little Blue Heron | H.J. Ruiz

Bird’s ID – Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is a small heron. It breeds in the Gulf states of the US, through Central America and the Caribbean south to Peru and Uruguay. It is a resident breeder in most of its range, but some northern breeders migrate to the southeastern US or beyond in winter. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range, as far as the Canada–US border.

This species is about 60 cm (24 in) long, with a 102 cm (40 in) wingspan, and weighs 325 g (11.5 oz). 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 are purplish and have long blue filamentous plumes. The legs and feet are dark blue. The sexes are similar. 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 dull greenish legs. They gradually acquire blue plumage as they mature.

Photo Gallery

Can you ID me?

Tags: Bird's ID, birding, birds, Interesting information, Little Blue Heron, nature, photography, photos of birds

26 thoughts on “Bird’s ID – Little Blue Heron”

Indira on August 22, 2018 at 7:15 am said:

Lovely plumage on the heron!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 5:35 pm said:
  
  Thank you Indira! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
shoreacres on August 22, 2018 at 8:09 am said:

The ‘swallowtail’ part’s easy, but I’m not sure which it is. They’re all lovely, that’s for sure.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 5:38 pm said:
  
  Aha! You still have a few days to remember… Thanks Linda. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
susanpoozan on August 22, 2018 at 9:00 am said:

Loved the photographs, such a sweet bird but no help with the butterfly I am afraid.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 5:42 pm said:
  
  Thank you Susan! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
circadianreflections on August 22, 2018 at 9:54 am said:

Western Tiger swallowtail I have never seen a Little Blue Heron. It’s neat looking!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 5:44 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Deborah! In a few days I’ll publish the answer. 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
urzre on August 22, 2018 at 5:23 pm said:

Very nice!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 5:51 pm said:
  
  Thanks Urzre! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
tootlepedal on August 22, 2018 at 5:47 pm said:

Beautiful shots, HJ.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 5:53 pm said:
  
  Thanks Tom! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
svtakeiteasy on August 22, 2018 at 9:02 pm said:

Beautiful captures HJ.

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 22, 2018 at 9:17 pm said:
  
  Thank you Chris! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
Dorinda Duclos on August 23, 2018 at 12:07 am said:

Such a cute heron! The butterfly is an Eastern Tiger Swallowtail. A beauty!!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 23, 2018 at 3:47 pm said:
  
  Thank you Dorinda! The answer about the butterfly will be published in a couple of days! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Dorinda Duclos on August 24, 2018 at 2:18 am said:
    
    Can’t wait to find out!
bayphotosbydonna on August 23, 2018 at 9:41 pm said:

Gorgeous shots, HJ, such a pretty bird! 🙂

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 24, 2018 at 12:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much Donna! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
tanjabrittonwriter on August 27, 2018 at 5:12 pm said:

What a beautiful bird. The first photo especially is great, H.J. I love that hairdo. 😊

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 27, 2018 at 5:34 pm said:
  
  Thanks Tanja!…Are you going to copy that hairdo for yourself? 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - tanjabrittonwriter on August 27, 2018 at 5:44 pm said:
    
    I am thinking about it. It would take a lot of mousse to keep it in that shape! 😊
  - H.J. for avian101 on August 27, 2018 at 5:56 pm said:
    
    You’re funny Tanja! Good sense of humor… 🙂
Clare Pooley on August 27, 2018 at 8:03 pm said:

Fantastic shots, HJ!

Reply ↓
- H.J. for avian101 on August 27, 2018 at 9:16 pm said:
  
  Thanks so much Clare! 🙂
  
  Reply ↓
  - Clare Pooley on August 28, 2018 at 7:12 pm said:
    
    🙂