(Egretta caerulea)
25 - 29 inches

photograph © Walker Golder

Status: State-listed as Species of Special Concern.

Identification: Adult Little Blue Herons are entirely dark. The back, wings and belly are slate blue in color; while the head and neck are rusty maroon. The bill is gray at the base, tipped with black, and the legs are gray. Immatures are entirely white with greenish yellow legs. Immatures molt into their adult plumage at one to two years of age and appear mottled white and blue during their molt. At this stage, Little Blue Herons have been referred to as ÒCalico Herons.Ó

Nesting Habitat: Little Blue Herons nest in mixed-species colonies on estuarine islands, barrier islands and in swamp forests. Nests are usually elevated in shrubs, trees or marsh grasses.

Breeding Biology: Initiation of nesting activities in North Carolina colonies usually begins in April and can continue until June. Little Blue Herons construct platform nests of plant stems and twigs. Nests are usually less than 18 inches in diameter. The female lays four to five pale bluish-green eggs, one every other day. Both parents participate in incubation for 22 to 23 days. Nestlings begin to fly at about four weeks of age. Little Blue Herons occupy North Carolina colony sites from April to late August.

Food: Food consists primarily of small fish, crustaceans, reptiles, amphibians and insects. This species often forages in freshwater habitats.

State Nesting Population: Declining, approximately 700 nesting pairs.

Major Threats: Human disturbances at nesting sites, loss of nesting habitat, degradation of wetland foraging habitats.

Waterbirds:
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Last Revision 5/21/98