Little blue heron

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The Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, is a small heron. It breeds from the Gulf states of the USA 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 USA or beyond in winter. There is post-breeding dispersal to well north of the nesting range, as far as the border between the US and Canada.

The Little Blue Heron's breeding habitat is sub-tropical swamps. It nests in colonies, often with other herons, usually on platforms of sticks in trees or shrubs. 3-7 light blue eggs are laid.

This species is about 60 cm long, with a 102 cm wingspan, and weighs 325 g. 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. Sexes are similar back.

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 yellowish legs. They gradually acquire blue plumage as they mature.

The Little Blue Heron stalks its prey methodically in shallow water, often running as it does so. It eats fish, crustaceans and insects.

Image:littleblueheron13.jpg|An immature. Image:Littleblueheronsmall.jpg|An adult hunting. Image:Nonbreeding Adult Little Blue Heron.jpg|Nonbreeding adult

References

BirdLife International (2004). [Egretta caerulea]. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
Hilty, Birds of Venezuela ISBN 0-7136-6418-5
Kale, Herbert W (1990). Florida's Birds. A Handbook and Reference Pinneapple Press, Sarasota Florida. ISBN 0-910923-68-X
"National Geographic" Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0792268776
Stiles and Skutch, ''A guide to the birds of Costa Rica’’ ISBN 0-0814-9600-4

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