Great Blue Heron at birding birds bird-opedia

Great Blue Heron

General description.

The majestic Great Blue is the second largest heron in North America. The Great White, restricted largely to the Florida Keys, is a little larger with green-yellow legs rather than black.

Flight pattern.

Flies with "S" curved neck and legs extended.

Breeding habits.

To discourage predators, the Great Blue breeds in isolated areas, on islands and wooded swamps, along the shorelines of marshes, lakes and rivers.

Calls or song.

When alarmed, this bird emits a loud, squawking sound, "frank". In its repertoire is seven breeding calls and, when aggressive, "go-go-go"

Population and distribution.

This bird is widespread from Coastal Alaska across south central Canada to Nova Scotia and southward. Some even remain in the north over winter.

Nesting habits.

It lays 3-7 pale green-blue eggs on a platform of sticks lined with fine material, either on the ground or in a reedbed or tree.

Similar birds:

Birds in the same Family:

	American Bittern
	Black-crowned Night Heron
	Cattle Egret
	Chinese Egret
	Great Egret
	Green Heron
	Least Bittern
	Little Blue Heron
	Little Egret
	None
	Snowy Egret
	Tricolored Heron
	Western Reef Heron
	Yellow Bittern
	Yellow-crowned Night Heron

Finding & Feeding

Great Blue Heron Habitats:

Great Blue Heron Foods: