Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Tres Rios Wetlands, Maricopa County

This Little Blue Heron was found and photographed by David Nelson on 14 May 2020

Casual, and apparently declining, late spring and summer visitor.

The only other all dark heron is the larger Reddish Egret. Adult Reddish Egret has a thicker, redder, shaggier neck and a pink and black bill. Immature Reddish Egret is more uniform in color and less has less blue tones to the body. Note also the size compared to the nearby Snowy Egret.

14 May 2020, photo by David Nelson

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