Little Blue Heron

-Egretta caerulea-

A slender, smallish heron, body plumage is slate-blue, legs are bluish-green. Head and neck become reddish-purple and legs and feet become black in high breeding plumage. Bill is grayish with black tip. Immature white with grey in wings resembling snowy egret. Calico appearing birds are immature of this species. Colonial nester. Frequents fresh and salt water. Feeds on small fishes; loves crawfish.

Length 24 inches
Wingspan 40 inches