Richard
I researched this after getting back from the Spurwink Marsh a few days ago when I initially catalogued a little blue heron, thinking it was a First Spring. Then I saw others were putting it in as a hybrid, and I looked into photos people had taken. From what I can see the little blue heron characteristics include the two-tone bill with size and shape more heron-like, the patchy, blue- gray calico color pattern, the slaty legs. The snowy egret features were the shaggy mane and chest seen in some photos, the 2 long plumes and the upright stance when not actively foraging. It also moved more slowly than the more active egret pattern.
Anyway, I’m sure others who know more than me well add one to these findings.
Tod Abrahams