Habitat

The Great Blue Heron can be found in salt marsh, swamps, saltwater marshes, estuaries,
coastal lagoons, flooded fields, riverbanks and lake edges.

Diet

This animal eats anything in its sight like fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and other birds.

Status

Great blue herons are the largest herons in North America.
They are 60 cm tall and are 97 to 137 cm long. They are tall waterbirds with long, S-shaped necks that have shaggy feathers.

Predators/Adaptations

Great Blue Heron strikes at prey with incredible speed. Northwest crows and common ravens have been reported eating heron eggs. Eagles, raccoons, bears, turkey vultures, and red-tailed hawks prey on the young birds and sometimes even the adults. Birds often abandon a rookery where they have been living after a predator has killed an adult or chick in the area.

Distinguishing Features

The great blue heron is the biggest heron in N.A. They are 60 cm tall and 97 to 137 cm long. They weigh 2.1 to 2.5 kg. Great Blue Herons appear blue-gray from a distance, with a wide black stripe over the eye. The Great Blue Heron has blue-gray feathers and long legs. Also, it has a huge beak.

Interesting Facts

Great Blue Heron strikes at prey with incredible speed. Northwest crows and common ravens have been reported eating heron eggs. Eagles, raccoons, bears, turkey vultures, and red-tailed hawks prey on the young birds and sometimes even the adults. Birds often abandon a rookery where they have been living after a predator has killed an adult or chick in the area. The average life span of a Great Blue Heron is 15 years old.

Audio

www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/Birds/Great%20Blue%20Heron/greatblueheron.wav

By: Kaleigh, Juan, Brett, Qing