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;[[:Category:Egretta|Egretta]] caerulea | ;[[:Category:Egretta|Egretta]] caerulea | ||
− | [[Image:Little_Blue_Heron.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by David Roach | + | [[Image:Little_Blue_Heron.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Adult. Photo by David Roach at Broward County Park, South Florida.]] |
+ | [[Image:Little blue heron 2.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Juvenile. Photo by bobsofpa.]] | ||
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==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
− | [[ | + | Found along east coast north to [[Massachusetts]], along the Mississippi north to Missouri, and to about 15o miles north of the Gulf Coast. Regularly found 300 miles north of breeding range. Rare vagrant north of that. Also found in the [[West Indies]], [[Mexico]], [[Panama]], [[Peru]] and [[Uruguay]]. |
==Taxonomy== | ==Taxonomy== |
Revision as of 20:30, 18 July 2008
- Egretta caerulea
Identification
Height 60 cm
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 legs
Gradually acquire blue plumage as they mature.
Distribution
Found along east coast north to Massachusetts, along the Mississippi north to Missouri, and to about 15o miles north of the Gulf Coast. Regularly found 300 miles north of breeding range. Rare vagrant north of that. Also found in the West Indies, Mexico, Panama, Peru and Uruguay.
Taxonomy
Habitat
Swamps, flooded grasslands and lagoons, also coastal habitats in some areas.
Behaviour
Breeding
It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 3-7 light blue eggs are laid.
Diet
Includes fish, crustaceans and insects.