Few wading birds sound genuinely upset when you walk past them, but the little blue heron sure kicks up a fuss – and usually moves away quickly, no matter how softly you walk.
Like similar-sized snowy egrets, they carefully watch for prey in the shallows of wetlands and along the edges of waterways.
We’ve been surprised by how they change color as they mature. As juveniles, they are white.
The main clue that they aren’t a snowy egret at that size is the dark tip at the end of their bill.
You don’t see little blue herons in groups or pairs, except when nesting. They hunt alone.
Mainly found in the southeastern United States, you will see them year-round in Florida.