The little blue heron is a small heron of the genus Egretta. It is a small, darkly colored heron with a two-toned bill. Juveniles are entirely white, bearing resemblance to the snowy egret. During the breeding season, adults develop different coloration on the head, legs, and feet.
Region
Southeastern United States, Caribbean, Central America, and northern South America
Typical Environment
Little blue herons inhabit coastal and inland wetlands, including marshes, mangroves, lagoons, estuaries, rice fields, and the vegetated edges of lakes and slow rivers. They prefer shallow water with emergent vegetation for stalking prey. Breeding colonies are commonly in mangroves, swamp forests, or thickets near water, often shared with other wading birds. Outside the breeding season they disperse widely, including to the Caribbean and parts of northern South America.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The little blue heron is a small, dark heron with a distinctive two-toned bill; juveniles are entirely white and often mistaken for snowy egrets. Adults are slate-blue with a purplish head and neck in the breeding season. They forage slowly and deliberately, often feeding alone in shallow wetlands. Northern populations migrate to warmer regions in winter, while southern birds can be resident.
Little blue heron in Cananeia, Sao Paulo, Brazil
juvenile, Macal River, Cayo, Belize
A close up of a little blue heron's head at Lake Apopka, Florida
Temperament
solitary and patient
Flight Pattern
steady, direct flight with slow wingbeats
Social Behavior
Typically forages alone or in loose spacing, reducing competition and disturbance while stalking prey. Nests colonially with other herons, egrets, and ibises, building platform nests of sticks in trees or mangroves over water. Pairs are seasonally monogamous; clutches usually contain 3–5 eggs and both parents share incubation and chick rearing.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet away from colonies, giving low croaks and soft clucks. At colonies, adults produce harsh croaks, grunts, and rattling calls during displays and territorial interactions.
