------------------------------------------------------------------------------- It is about 22 inches and the wingspan is about 43 inches Sexes similar Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight Bill long and pointed Dull green legs Adult alternate: Blue-gray black-tipped bill Blue-gray belly, back and wings Chestnut head and neck Shaggy neck plumes Adult basic: Blue-gray black-tipped bill Head and neck blue-gray like body Lacks shaggy neck plumes Immature: White body plumage Blue-gray tips to the outer primaries visible from below when bird is in flight Gray lores Black-tipped bill usually with blue-gray base, but occasionally yellow or flesh In their first spring or first summer, immatures start gaining the adults' dark plumage and can be mottled with blue-gray and white. Similar species: IMAGES BY: GEORGE W. BOWLES, SR. |
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| LITTLE BLUE HERON: ETRETTA CACRULEA |
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