When I explain Little Blue Herons to people I use 2 different descriptions. Looking at these photographs maybe it should be more like 2 1/2.
The bird above is a juvenile Little Blue. And yes of course they are white, why make it easy. A young bird is white for the first year or so. I have read this makes it easier for young birds to join in with Snowy Egrets for safety and foraging. I’m no expert, but I do see adult Little Blues with Snowy’s all the time. Maybe that’s not why they are white, maybe it is.
Now the bird above is an adult Little Blue. Better, at least he is close to blue. That is about as blue as they get, a slate blue I would think.
However….. this one may not be completely grown up yet. Looking at his legs, they are green. A full grown will have gray / brown legs. All young Little Blues have green legs.
The next time you are out and bump into one you will now know exactly how to tell their age.
Me neither.
Loved your post! Herons are a favorite bird in the land of Ms. Jeannie. I did not realize they were white when they first started out as little guys but that makes sense about the camouflage. Mother Nature is so protective that way. I wonder if this guy’s adult feathers came in faster than expected and his legs haven’t quite caught up yet. Whatever the case he’s making quite the handsome fashion statement:) Thanks for a little birding intrigue today!
Thank you for visiting. It is always interesting with these birds.
That’s really interesting about the leg color determining age. Always cool to learn something new!