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Yesterday I saw a decent sized bird fly over as we were watching deer out in the pens. It was going to go land in the pond before the weather got bad. I thought it looked very majestic as it glided over head. It had arched wings and a coiled neck. It was a Great Blue Heron.
These herons have distinct plumage and do not look very similar to other birds of their size. Great Blue Herons have two-tone wings with a pale blue-gray on the front of the wing and a dark gray or black on the flight feathers. Overall they are a slate-blue color. They have a black crown that goes into wispy crest feathers. They also have wispy feathers on their chest. There is a pure white subspecies that is found in southern Florida and the Caribbean. Some mistake them for cranes or Great Egrets, but cranes fly with an out stretched neck and egrets are white with black legs.
Great Blue Herons are the largest of all herons in North America and are only out sized by two species of heron worldwide. Adults will have a body that is 3 to 4.5 feet long and a wingspan that may get over 6.5 feet.
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Great Blue Herons are widespread across North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and some winter in northern South America. Great Blue Herons can usually be found in areas with water, salt or fresh. Herons can be found in coastal areas, marshes, rivers, and ponds. They mostly prefer areas with slower water where they can hunt for prey.
When hunting Great Blue Herons will slowly stalk their prey in shallow water and then strike with their dagger-like beak. They will also grab prey with their strong bills. Great Blue Herons will eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, insects, and other birds.This diet allows these birds to spend more time farther north than most herons. These herons will usually hunt alone.
An interesting fact that I learned last year in my ornithology class was that Great Blue Herons nest in colonies. They make large nests, usually in trees. Their can be several hundred birds in one colony. The male arrives first at the nest site and courts passing females. He will bring her materials, such as sticks, that she will build the nest with. The female will generally lay 3-5 eggs that are pale blue. The parents will feed the young by regurgitating food they have caught.
Great Blue Herons are really cool birds that are found across the country. They are not too hurt by human developments, but they do prefer areas without a human disturbance. Also the wetlands that these animals live in are disappearing and being degraded. Make sure you keep your eyes open for herons when you are near a river, lake, coast, or wetland.
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