A World of Birds
Little Blue Heron
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@ South Padre Is.Birding and Nature Center, Cameron County, TX
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
Little Blue Heron
Egretta caerulea
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List Category: LEAST CONCERN
LIFER #409
FIRST LIFER OBSERVATION: 12 Sep 1998
Charleston Slough/Coast Casey Forebay | US-CA
PHOTO GALLERY
@ Western Highway, Belize
@ Crooked Tree Wildlife Sanctuary - Bird's Eye View Lodge, Belize District, Belize
@ Green Cay, FL
@ South Padre Is.Birding and Nature Center, Cameron County, TX
@ South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, TX
@ South Padre Island Birding and Nature Center, TX
Madera Water Treatment Plant Bird
Madera Water Treatment Plant Bird
Originally found and reported by Gary Woods on July 17, 2025.
Initial ID comments (as relayed by Francis Oliver): Gary sent photos to Jeff Davis who concurred the ID as LBHE.
My (Jim Gain) comments: For me, the first step is to age the bird. If it is a LBHE, it's age would current yer probably hatched in early April. Based on the Birds of the World Annual Cycle diagram for LBHE, it would still be in it's initial Prebasic Molt with the first Preformative Molt happening in mid-July which would likely replace its Pre-basic flight feathers. (However, there is no published evidence that any flight feathers are replaced until Second Prebasic Molt.) So it seems to be anyone's guess as to which plumage it is in.
Identification marks that support the LBHE ID:
Bill structure and coloration - base portion is pale, pinkish-gray with a darker gray distal tip which is approximately 1/3 the length. The bare parts between the eye and bill show a distinct vertical break perpendicular to the gape line just below the center of the eye. The bill is wider at the base when compared to a SNEG giving the forehead a more wedge shape than rounded.
Neck structure - the neck appears to be wider (thicker) and shorter than a SNEG
Leg structure and coloration - this bird has yellowish-green toes and tarsus blending to grayish green at the thigh
Identification marks that don't specifically support the LBHE ID:
Flight feather tips - typically LBHE will show darkish smudges to the tips to the first several primaries. This feature however can be extremely difficult to observe and may not be present in some instances.
Adult Snowy Egret for comparison
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