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Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea)

© Wendy VanDyk Evans

Length: 22 in.; wingspan to 41 in. .
Habitat: wetlands, lake and pond areas.

The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea, or Florida caerulea) is a medium sized, long-necked wading bird of the Order Ciconiiformes (herons and storks). Both sexes are similar in appearance, with deep blue-gray plumage, dull green legs, and a black-tipped bill. Head coloration can become chestnut brown during the breeding season. They nest in mangrove trees at the fringes of a mixed heron colony, lake or pond areas where spring water levels are low or receding. It feeds primarily on amphibians as well as on other crustaceans (i.e, shrimp, other crab species.) In Florida, the Little Blue Heron is listed as a species of species of special concern (SSC). It is not federally listed as threatened or endangered.