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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
[[Image:Image1546.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Immature<br />Photo © by {{user|Kadawe|Kadawe}}<br />Gloucester, [[Massachusetts]], July 2016]] | [[Image:Image1546.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Immature<br />Photo © by {{user|Kadawe|Kadawe}}<br />Gloucester, [[Massachusetts]], July 2016]] | ||
| − | Found along east coast north to [[Massachusetts]], along the Mississippi north to Missouri, and to about | + | Found along east coast north to [[Massachusetts]], along the Mississippi north to Missouri, and to about 150 miles north of the Gulf Coast. Regularly found 300 miles north of breeding range. Rare vagrant north of that. |
Occurs throughout the [[West Indies]] and in [[Mexico]] breeds on both coasts and south to [[Panama]]. In [[South America]] ranges south to northern [[Chile]] in the west and [[Uruguay]] in the east. | Occurs throughout the [[West Indies]] and in [[Mexico]] breeds on both coasts and south to [[Panama]]. In [[South America]] ranges south to northern [[Chile]] in the west and [[Uruguay]] in the east. | ||
| − | Northern birds migrate south to winter in [[Florida]], the [[West Indies]] and [[South America]]. | + | Northern birds migrate south to winter in [[Florida]], the [[West Indies]] and [[South America]]. |
| − | + | ||
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== | ||
This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. | This is a [[Dictionary_M-S#M|monotypic]] species<sup>[[#References|[1]]]</sup>. | ||
Revision as of 21:15, 17 June 2020
- Egretta caerulea
Identification
Height 51–76 cm (20-30 in)
Ws. 102 cm
Weight 325 g
Sexes similar
Breeding Adult
- Blue-grey body
- Purplish head and neck
- Long blue plumes
- Dark blue legs and feet
Non-breeding Adult
- Dark blue head and neck
- Paler legs
Immature
- All white except for dark wing tips and have
- Yellowish or greenish legs
Gradually acquire blue plumage as they mature. Will usually start the process during their first year of life and be completed when they are a little more than 1 year old.
Similar species
For the adult, the two-toned bill helps separating from Reddish Egret. The white juvenile can be mistaken for Cattle Egret, Snowy Egret and Little Egret.
Distribution
Found along east coast north to Massachusetts, along the Mississippi north to Missouri, and to about 150 miles north of the Gulf Coast. Regularly found 300 miles north of breeding range. Rare vagrant north of that.
Occurs throughout the West Indies and in Mexico breeds on both coasts and south to Panama. In South America ranges south to northern Chile in the west and Uruguay in the east.
Northern birds migrate south to winter in Florida, the West Indies and South America.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
Swamps, flooded grasslands and lagoons, also coastal habitats in some areas.
Behaviour
Breeding
They nest in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. The clutch consists of 3-7 light blue eggs.
Diet
Their diet consists of slow moving, bottom feeding shellfish, crustaceans and insects such as dragonflies.
Gallery
Click on photo for larger image
Photo © by bhowdy
Harris Neck National Wildlife Refuge, South Newport, Georgia, USA, June 2008
Juvenile
Photo © by Waltbulmer
Bozman Maryland county, October 2018
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2018. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2018. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved August 2016)
- Wikipedia
- BF Member observations
- Alvaro Jaramillo. 2003. Birds of Chile. Princeton Field Guides. ISBN 0-691-11740-3
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Little Blue Heron. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 13 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Little_Blue_Heron
External Links
