Great Blue Heron
• Ardea herodias
• Largest wading bird and largest North American heron
• Head-to-tail length of 36-55 in
• Wingspan of 66-79 in
• Weight of 4.5-8 lbs
• Stride is around 9 in, almost in a straight line
Habitat
• Fresh and saltwater marshes
• Mangrove swamps• Flooded meadows• Lake edges• Shorelines near bodies
of water, usually nesting in trees or bushes.
Diet
• Small fish• Shrimps, crabs, aquatic
insects• Herons locate their food by
sight and usually swallow it whole. Herons have been known to choke on prey that is too large.
• Herons use their long legs to wade through shallow water, and spears fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill.
Breeding
• Breeding groups are called heronry
• The size of these colonies range between 5–500 nests per colony
• Females lay three to six pale blue eggs
• One brood is raised each year• Predators of eggs and
nestlings include turkey vultures, hawks, bears and raccoons