Difference between revisions of "Field Guide/Birds/Ardea herodias"
| (11 intermediate revisions by the same user not shown) | |||
| Line 11: | Line 11: | ||
| binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]] | | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]] | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | The '''Great Blue Heron''', ''Ardea | + | The '''Great Blue Heron''', ''Ardea h a erodias'', is a wading [[bird]] of the [[heron]] family [[Ardeidae]], common all over [[North America|North]] and [[Central America]] as well as the [[West Indies]] and the [[Galápagos Islands|Galápagos]], except in deserts and high mountains where there is no water for it to wade in. It is very similar to the [[Europe]]an [[Grey Heron]]. This is the largest North American heron. |
| − | This species usually breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes or other wetlands, often with other species of herons. It builds a bulky stick nest. | + | This species usually breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes or other wetlands, often with other species of herons. It builds a bulky stick nest. The female lays 3 to 5 pale blue [[Egg (biology)|egg]]s. Both parents feed the young at the nest by regurgitating food. |
| − | + | ||
| + | It feeds in shallow water or at the water's edge and spears [[fish]] or [[frog]]s with its long, sharp bill. Its varied diet can also include [[insect]]s, [[snake]]s, [[turtle]]s, [[rodent]]s and small birds. It will also raid [[goldfish]] ponds in back yards. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The Great Blue stands 132 cm (four feet) tall, has a 213 cm (seven-foot) wingspan and weighs 2.5 kg. It has a long yellow bill. Adults have blue-grey wings and back and a white head with a black cap and a long black plume. In flight, the long neck is held in an S-shape with the long legs trailing behind. This bird flies with strong deliberate wing beats. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Birds east of the [[Rocky Mountains|Rockies]] in the northern part of their range are [[bird migration|migratory]] and winter in [[Central America]] or northern [[South America]]. From the southern [[United States]] southwards and on the [[Pacific]] coast, they are year-round residents. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The call of this bird is a harsh croak. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The '''Great White Heron,''' which was long thought to be a separate species, is a white [[Polymorphism (biology)|morph]] of Great Blue which occurs in southern [[Florida]]. It is mainly found near salt water. '''Wurdemann's Heron''' is an intermediate morph, in which only the head is white. | ||
| + | |||
| + | The [[Great White Egret]], ''Ardea alba'', also occurs in North America, but is a separate species. | ||
| + | <gallery> | ||
| + | Image:Great Grey Heron.jpg|Great Blue Heron | ||
| + | Image:Heron-Bass-Fishing-01.jpg|Attempting to swallow a fish | ||
| + | Image:GreatBlueHeron.jpg|Great Blue Heron at [[Harriman State Park]] | ||
| + | Image:Blue heron audubon.JPG|Painting by John James Audubon | ||
| + | </gallery> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | * "National Geographic" ''Field Guide to the Birds of North America'' ISBN 0792268776 | ||
| + | * Stiles and Skutch, ''A guide to the birds of Costa Rica'' ISBN 0-0814-9600-4 | ||
| + | {{commons|Ardea herodias}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Ardea]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Herons]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Wading birds|Heron, Great Blue]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Avifauna of Florida|Heron, Great Blue]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Fauna of Trinidad and Tobago]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Birds of Puerto Rico]] | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[de:Kanadareiher]] | ||
| + | [[fr:Grand Héron]] | ||
| + | [[ja:オオアオサギ]] | ||
Revision as of 11:17, 8 May 2006
Template:Taxobox The Great Blue Heron, Ardea h a erodias, is a wading bird of the heron family Ardeidae, common all over North and Central America as well as the West Indies and the Galápagos, except in deserts and high mountains where there is no water for it to wade in. It is very similar to the European Grey Heron. This is the largest North American heron.
This species usually breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes or other wetlands, often with other species of herons. It builds a bulky stick nest. The female lays 3 to 5 pale blue eggs. Both parents feed the young at the nest by regurgitating food.
It feeds in shallow water or at the water's edge and spears fish or frogs with its long, sharp bill. Its varied diet can also include insects, snakes, turtles, rodents and small birds. It will also raid goldfish ponds in back yards.
The Great Blue stands 132 cm (four feet) tall, has a 213 cm (seven-foot) wingspan and weighs 2.5 kg. It has a long yellow bill. Adults have blue-grey wings and back and a white head with a black cap and a long black plume. In flight, the long neck is held in an S-shape with the long legs trailing behind. This bird flies with strong deliberate wing beats.
Birds east of the Rockies in the northern part of their range are migratory and winter in Central America or northern South America. From the southern United States southwards and on the Pacific coast, they are year-round residents.
The call of this bird is a harsh croak.
The Great White Heron, which was long thought to be a separate species, is a white morph of Great Blue which occurs in southern Florida. It is mainly found near salt water. Wurdemann's Heron is an intermediate morph, in which only the head is white.
The Great White Egret, Ardea alba, also occurs in North America, but is a separate species.
Great Blue Heron
Attempting to swallow a fish
Great Blue Heron at Harriman State Park
Painting by John James Audubon
References
- "National Geographic" Field Guide to the Birds of North America ISBN 0792268776
- Stiles and Skutch, A guide to the birds of Costa Rica ISBN 0-0814-9600-4
