Today we continue our exploration of the heron tribe by taking a look at the Little Blue Heron. A smallish heron, this bird is typically found in freshwater lakes, ponds and waterways, but also strays into salt marshes and estuaries. While not as ubiquitous and typically not as gregarious as its larger cousin, I wonder who decided which one should be given the title “great?”
These quiet little wading birds inhabit most of the eastern half of the US, as well as most of Central America and part of South America as well. They tend to associate with other herons, feeding on fish, crustaceans and insects as they pick their way methodically along the shorelines of waterways and marshes.
With their coloration, these herons are easy to overlook; often while scanning a canal, river or lake shore, you won’t see them at first – then suddenly there is one, no – two, no – three or more of them hidden in the weeds at the water’s edge.
