Beak of the Week – Little Blue Heron

The Little Blue Heron is a small heron (~ 60 cm) found throughout the Southeastern U.S mainly during the spring and summer, although year round populations occur along the Gulf Coast and in Florida. Little Blues are often overlooked due to their dark coloration and smaller size; however, they are striking when observed up close. They have a dark blue body with a deep reddish purple head and neck, and their bill is light blue with a black tip. Juveniles have all white plumage except for the dusky tips of the primaries and can easily be mistaken for Snowy Egrets at first glance. The much more active feeding behavior and the longer thinner bill, dark legs, and yellow feet of adult Snowy Egrets can be used to distinguish them from the juvenile Little Blues. As the first year juveniles transition to adult plumage, they are streaked with blue and white. This pied pattern is unique among herons and quite striking.

Little Blue Herons nest at the Houston Audubon Smith Oaks Rookery in High Island during the spring and early summer, but are often difficult to see, as they prefer to nest in dense willow canopies out of sight of most visitors. They lay 3-4 pale blue eggs in stick nest built in shrubs or small trees, which hatch after about 22 days. The hatchlings are downy white and remain in the nest for 35-50 days.

Little Blue Herons can also be easily overlooked while feeding as they are not showy or active, preferring to slowly stalk prey. Their dark coloration blends into the shadows at the water’s edge. Look closely along shallow fresh and brackish water particularly where there are overhanging branches or bushes for cover. They are often seen single or in pairs, though rarely they can be found with other herons. It has been hypothesized that the white colors of the first years allow them to be more easily accepted by groups of Snowy Egrets, increasing their chances of finding food and providing extra protections from predators.

Keep an eye out for these unique birds during the summer months. Next time you are near a wetland or shallow body of water, take a closer look and you just may find this striking bird slowly stalking small crustaceans and fish along the water’s edge.