Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Herons [gallery] are beautiful birds. Adults are easily recognized by by their solid blue-grey color and the fact that they're much smaller than Great Blue Herons.  Juveniles are all white but still exhibit a two-toned bill.  I think these birds are particularly pretty when they are in the process of getting their adult plumage.

Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Herons can be found throughout the southeastern U.S. and up the Atlantic coast, but are especially common in the Gulf States.  In Central Florida, the can be found pretty much anywhere there's water.  If you see a group of Snowy Egrets together, look carefully to see if there's a Juvenile Little Blue Heron in with them.  I find them often at Merritt Island, Orlando Wetlands Park, and Viera Wetlands.

Little Blue Heron

Immature Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron

Juvenile Little Blue Heron