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| | | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]] | | | binomial_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|Linnaeus]], [[1758]] |
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| − | The '''Great Blue Heron''', ''Ardea herodias'', 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.
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| − | This species usually breeds in colonies in trees close to lakes or other wetlands, often with other species of herons. These groups are called rookeries. 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.
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| − | 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.
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| − | The Great Blue Heron 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 head is held close to and aligned with the body by a downward bend in the long neck. The long legs trail behind. This bird flies with strong deliberate wing beats.
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| − | 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.
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| − | The call of this bird is a harsh croak.
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| − | 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.
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| − | The [[Great White Egret]], ''Ardea alba'', also occurs in North America, but is a separate species.
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| − | <gallery>
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| − | Image:Lightmatter greatblueheron2.jpg
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| − | Image:Great Grey Heron.jpg|
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| − | Image:Heron-Bass-Fishing-01.jpg|Attempting to swallow a fish
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| − | Image:GreatBlueHeron.jpg|
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| − | Image:Blue heron audubon.JPG|Painting by John James Audubon
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| − | Image:Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) in flight.jpg|In flight
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| − | Image:GreatBlueHeronVictoria.jpg|
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| − | </gallery>
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| − | ==References==
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| − | * {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=49579|title=Ardea herodias|downloaded=12 May 2006}} Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
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| − | * "National Geographic" ''Field Guide to the Birds of North America'' ISBN 0-7922-6877-6
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| − | * Stiles and Skutch, ''A guide to the birds of Costa Rica'' ISBN 0-08-149600-4
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| − | {{commons|Ardea herodias}}
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| − | ==External links==
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| − | * [http://lakecounty.typepad.com/life_in_lake_county/2006/08/a_great_blue_de.html A Great Blue Delight] - Informative but non-scholarly essay on the Great Blue Heron.
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| − | [[Category:Ardea]]
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| − | [[Category:Herons]]
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| − | [[Category:Wading birds|Heron, Great Blue]]
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| − | [[Category:Avifauna of Florida|Heron, Great Blue]]
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| − | [[Category:Fauna of Trinidad and Tobago]]
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| − | [[Category:Birds of Puerto Rico]]
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| − | [[Category:Avifauna of Quebec]]
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| − | [[ca:Bernat americà]]
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| − | [[de:Kanadareiher]]
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| − | [[fr:Grand Héron]]
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| − | [[ja:オオアオサギ]]
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