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.

Distribution

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

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDs7AUj-FIo