Acadia National Park

Description  ADULT BREEDING Has mostly blue-gray head, neck, back, and upper wings, with white underparts and rufous-tinged pale line down center of throat and neck. Note the purplish plumes on scapulars and lower neck. Lores and base of dark-tipped bill are bluish. ADULT NONBREEDING Similar, but lores and base of bill are yellowish and line down center of throat and neck is white. JUVENILE recalls nonbreeding adult but blue-gray elements of plumage on head, neck, scapulars, and wing covers are reddish chestnut.

Dimensions  Length: 25-30" (64-76 cm); Wngspn: 3' 2" (97 cm)

Habitat  Fairly common in coastal swamps on Gulf and Atlantic coasts; resident in warmer, southern regions with range extending further north in spring and summer.

Observation Tips  Easy to see in Florida's Everglades and Mississippi bayous.

Range  Texas, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, New England, Southeast, Florida, Plains, Southwest

Voice  Utters a harsh waaah.

Discussion  Striking and unmistakably slender, coastal heron. Feeds mainly on fish and often wades in a stately manner in deep water, or more actively pursues prey in shallows. Nests colonially, often alongside other heron species. Sexes are similar.