Heron (Little Blue)

The Little Blue Heron is about two feet tall. Its body and wings are slate blue, and has a dull purple head and neck. Its long bill is greyish-blue at the base and black at the tip. Little Blues have light green legs, and yellow eyes. The Little Blue does not stand and wait for its food but paces in shallow water for insects, fish and crabs.

When it is young, it has white plumage. This helps it blend in with Ibises, Snowy Egrets and Great Egrets. The real giveaway is the Snowy's black legs and yellow feet. The immature Little Blue has pale green legs and feet. It takes about a year for the bird to gradually change from white to blue.

Often adults are confused with the Tri-coloured Heron, they look similar from the back. But from the front you'll see that the Tri-coloured Heron has a white belly.

Photographed in the wild, Naples FL