Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron -one of the largest wading birds in the world- can be found in nearly all of North America, as well as Central America. The primary habitat for the Great Blue Heron is anywhere near a body of water- fresh or saltwater marshes, rivers, ponds, swamps and even meadows.
With its tall, stilt-like legs and extensive wing span, this majestic bird possesses a handsome blue grey feathered body and a white face striped with a pair of black or slate plumes just above the eye extending to the back of the head.
Males and females are similar in appearance, and stand roughly 4- 4.5 feet in height, with a wingspan of nearly 6.5 feet, with a weight of 4-9 pounds.
Great Blue Herons are stealthy hunters, patiently wading in shallow water as they hunt for food. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, but they also consume amphibians, shellfish, rodents, reptiles and occasionally, smaller birds.
They hunt by sight and quickly spear their prey with their long, sharp bill.
The Great Blue Heron usually breeds in large colonies called a heronry.
The female lays 3-6 eggs that are alternately incubated by the male and female.
With its tall, stilt-like legs and extensive wing span, this majestic bird possesses a handsome blue grey feathered body and a white face striped with a pair of black or slate plumes just above the eye extending to the back of the head.
Males and females are similar in appearance, and stand roughly 4- 4.5 feet in height, with a wingspan of nearly 6.5 feet, with a weight of 4-9 pounds.
Great Blue Herons are stealthy hunters, patiently wading in shallow water as they hunt for food. Their diet consists mainly of small fish, but they also consume amphibians, shellfish, rodents, reptiles and occasionally, smaller birds.
They hunt by sight and quickly spear their prey with their long, sharp bill.
The Great Blue Heron usually breeds in large colonies called a heronry.
The female lays 3-6 eggs that are alternately incubated by the male and female.