Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea), Gilbert Water Ranch Riparian Preserve, Maricopa County

This Little Blue Heron was found and photographed by Tracy Sutter on 10 May 2018 and photographed by Chris Rohrer on 12 May 2018

Casual late spring and summer visitor, this is apparently the first one in the state since 2013.

The only other all dark heron is the larger Reddish Egret. Adult Reddish Egret has thicker, redder, shaggier neck and a pink and black bill. Immature Reddish Egret is more concolor and lacks the strongly bicolored, gray and black bill. 

10 May 2018, photo by Tracy Sutter

12 May 2018, photo by Chris Rohrer

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