LITTLE BLUE HERON

L 22" W 41"

FIELD IDENTIFICATION: A common bird found in fresh water lakes, ponds, and tanks. Field marks include a slaty blue back and under parts, a maroon-brown head and neck (sometimes difficult to see), a bluish bill with a black tip, and the legs are darker greenish color. 

In flight, it can be confused with the larger Great Blue Heron.  The wing-beats of this species is much quicker and shallower than the laboring, slow Great Blue Heron.

The above two photographs are by David Hastings.

Photo by Claire Curry in August 2001 in Wise County, Texas

Above two photos by Mary and Claire Curry in April 2001 in Wise County, Texas

Immature Little Blue Heron

Photo by Mary Curry in September 2001 on the Lyndon B. Johnson National Grasslands