Many people on our bird watching tours ask: What is the difference between the Great Blue Heron and the Little Blue Heron? While some think the Little Blue Heron is the juvenile to the Great Blue that is not the case, they are actually two completely different species.
The most noticeable difference between them is their size.
The Little Blue Heron (left) is only 24 inches (61 cm) in length where the Great Blue Heron (right) is 46 inches (117 cm) in length.
The Little Blue Heron starts life as a completely white bird. Within its first year it starts to molt and become grayish
Then it becomes a unique calico color
If it's having a bad hair day it might look like this!
After its first full year it becomes this amazing, beautiful blue
And then the Little Blue Heron sets off to find a mate
The Great Blue Heron starts life as shades of gray
Eventually his dark gray becomes darker and his colors become more pronounced
His next thing in life is to build a grand nest that a female will gladly accept as hers too and raise a few more Great Blue Herons.
We hope this information helps confirm the difference between the Great Blue Heron and Little Blue Heron!
Jenny Boyd
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