This is a Little Blue Heron. For most of their life, they are a dark blue color, and live a solitary life. For their first year, they are white, and they feed with groups of Snowy Egrets.

Normally, groups of Snowy Egrets will defend their feeding territory against Little Blue Herons, but the white color of the young birds makes them acceptable. This lets them find more food, and gives them the protection of the group, until they are experienced enough to go out on their own.