Christopher Taylor Bird Nature Wildlife Mammal Photography
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GALLERIES > BIRDS > CICONIIFORMES > ARDEIDAE > LITTLE BLUE HERON [Egretta caerulea]    [plot on map]


Little Blue Heron Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey, CA
GPS: 33.9N, -118.4W, elev=50' MAP
Date: July 18, 2009
ID : 7C2V0158 [3888 x 2592]

Little Blue Heron Image @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey, CA
GPS: 33.9N, -118.4W, elev=50' MAP
Date: July 18, 2009
ID : 7C2V0188 [3888 x 2592]

bird photography

Little Blue Heron (juvenile)
 
 
Location: Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
GPS: 23.1N, -109.7W, elev=26' MAP
Date: February 1, 2013
ID : B13K2060 [4896 x 3264]

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Little Blue Heron Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Estero San Jose, San Jose del Cabo, Mexico
GPS: 23.1N, -109.7W, elev=26' MAP
Date: February 1, 2013
ID : B13K2057 [4896 x 3264]

nature photography

Little Blue Heron Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Playa del Rey, CA
GPS: 34.0N, -118.5W, elev=11' MAP
Date: June 5, 2009
ID : 7C2V8752 [3888 x 2592]

Little Blue Heron Picture @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Goose Island State Park, TX
GPS: 28.1N, -96.9W, elev=-1' MAP
Date: February 1, 2009
ID : 7C2V4179 [3888 x 2592]

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Little Blue Heron Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Antigua, Lesser Antilles
Date: October 23, 2009
ID : 7C2V4489 [3888 x 2592]

Little Blue Heron Photo @ Kiwifoto.com
 
 
Location: Ballona Lagoon, CA
Date: November 5, 2006
ID : 2092 [3888 x 2592]

bird photography

SPECIES INFO

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.




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little_blue_heron's Range Map Click here to see the Little Blue Heron's range map!
Listen to the Little Blue Heron Song:



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