Learn what every symbol on the card means.Full credits and sources at beakbrain.com/symbols
WetlandPlatform nestLarge · 339 g
ID tip
Males and females have the same coloration. The adults are darkly colored, with purple-maroon heads and blue bodies. During the breeding season, their heads turn dark red. They have two-toned bills, which are a light blue at the base, with black tips. Their eyes are yellow and their legs are greenish. Juveniles are almost completely white, although the upper primaries are somewhat dark in color. Like adults, their bills are two-toned. Immature birds transitioning from the juvenile to adult phase have a combination of light and dark feathers.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
When to see the Little Blue Heron
One bar for each month, and every month is filled: this bird is recorded here in all twelve. The wide bar is January, the month with the most records.
Where to see the Little Blue Heron
The map shades 53 countries with regular records, and 2 more in a lighter tone where the bird turns up only as a stray. Everything unshaded has no records. Countries are listed below the map.
Recorded as a rare visitor in South Africa, Portugal.
About the Little Blue Heron
The little blue heron is a small heron of the genus Egretta. It is a small, darkly colored heron with a two-toned bill. Juveniles are entirely white, bearing resemblance to the snowy egret. During the breeding season, adults develop different coloration on the head, legs, and feet.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Easily confused with
Tricolored HeronEgretta tricolorThis species measures from 56 to 76 cm (22 to 30 in) long and has a typical wingspan of 96 cm (38 in).
Little EgretEgretta garzettaThe adult little egret is 55–65 cm (22–26 in) long with an 88–106 cm (35–42 in) wingspan, and weighs 350–550 g (12–19 oz).
White-faced HeronEgretta novaehollandiaeThe adult white-faced heron is medium-sized for the family and mostly pale blue-grey.
Side by side: Little Blue Heron vs Snowy Egret · Little Blue Heron vs Little Egret · Little Blue Heron vs Tricolored Heron · Little Blue Heron vs White-faced Heron
Learn the Little Blue Heron in the BeakBrain App
Photo and call practice. Coming soon to iPhone and Android.
Play today's Daily BirdEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.