Little Blue Heron

Egretta caerulea (Linnaeus, 1758)

Little Blue Heron, Egretta caerulea, is a heron found from North America through Middle America into South America, breeding from south-eastern USA to southern Brazil. It belongs to the heron family Ardeidae in the order Pelecaniformes. Adults are dark and have a bill with two distinct tones. In the breeding season, they show different colouring on the head, legs and feet. Young birds are wholly white and can be mistaken for the snowy egret. The species uses both saltwater and freshwater habitats, with local choice depending on where it occurs. Some populations move seasonally.

Order

Pelecaniformes

Family

Ardeidae — Herons, Bitterns

Breeding range

North America, Middle America, South America: se USA to s Brazil