This twenty-four inch slate blue wader with a bluish bill is a common resident of Antigua, to be found near the shore, mangroves or ponds. It is unique amongst all other herons in being snow white when immature. The flight with its forty-one inch wingspan is strong and graceful. Food consists of fishes, frogs, lizards, shrimps and fiddler crabs. In times of drought this bird will turn to the fields to hunt grass-hoppers, crickets, beetles and other insects. Nesting occurs with other herons in colonies.