Skip to main content
Close

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

46.9168, -95.6635

Field Notes

Description:

Great Blue Herons are large birds measuring 38 to 53 inches with a wingspan of 65 to 79 inches. Despite their impressive size, Great Blue Herons weigh only 5 to 6 pounds, due in part to their hollow bones-a feature all birds share. They have blue-gray plumage.

Habitat:

Great Blue Herons live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats, and also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields.. In the northeastern U.S. and southern Canada they have benefited from the recovery of beaver populations, which have created a patchwork of swamps and meadows well-suited to foraging and nesting. They eat fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and other birds.

Notes:

This Great Blue Heron was spotted near the marsh area of Pine Lake on Hwy 29. It stood motionless as it scanned for prey. It then moved slowly, but struck like lightning to grab a fish. In flight the heron tucked-in its neck and the long legs trailed out behind.

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment

Sign in to comment
Photographed
PublishedJuly 31, 2013

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Image
Butterflies icon

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon