I found this bird Sunday evening, at Cheyenne Bottoms in central Kansas. I can't match the plumage with any guide book photos. It didn't feel quite as big as a Great Blue Heron. My best guess is Little Blue Heron or Big Blue Heron, either juvenile or perhaps leucistic. Either species is possible here, but Little Blue Herons aren't that common. Thanks.
During Little Blue Herons "hatch year" they are all white, during thier second year they are mottled blues and whites, usually by the third year they are the typical blue of adult birds. No other NA heron undergoes such a drastic change from light to dark. The young birds often feed in groups in somewhat different habitat than the adults which may be why there are fewer photos of them posted on NPN.
Discussion
6 repliesDuring Little Blue Herons "hatch year" they are all white, during thier second year they are mottled blues and whites, usually by the third year they are the typical blue of adult birds. No other NA heron undergoes such a drastic change from light to dark. The young birds often feed in groups in somewhat different habitat than the adults which may be why there are fewer photos of them posted on NPN.