The almost all white plumage of this bird below poses an ID challenge for many newcomers to the wetlands, who often mistakenly assume he is one of the white egrets – a Snowy Egret or Great Egret.But the bluish-black color of his beak, and his unmistakable green legs are great clues to his true identity.
His behavior gives him away, too, as he forages slowly and deliberately through the water, lifting his legs high and waving his neck and head from side to side.Did you correctly identify him as a Little Blue Heron?! – A juvenile, who is just starting to show some subtle patches of blue plumage amidst those white feathers. And this is what that ‘white’ Little Blue Heron will look like as an adult – completely slate-blue, with a purplish tint on the neck and head. If you look very closely, you can see the resemblance!To learn more about the handsome Little Blue Heron’s unusual color transformation, listen to this recent episode on Bird Note, called Little Blue Heron, Light and Dark, and . . . Check out the All About Birds site to learn even more!