Great Blue Heron-- Ardea herodias -- South Dakota Birds
| Great Blue Heron | Length: 48 inches | Wingspan: 80 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
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Identification Keys: Large size, large bill, black crown stripe on white face, blue-gray body |
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The largest and most widespread heron, familiar to many. Vary adaptable, the Great Blue Heron can be found living in a wide variety of environments, from mangrove swamps in Florida to the coastline of Alaska. They are similarly very adaptable in diet, and eating a wide variety of items. They usually breed in nesting colonies with nesting platforms of sticks.
Habitat: Marshes, sloughs, ponds, streams, rivers, and lakes.
Diet: Variable, includes fish, frogs, salamanders, rodents, snakes, birds, and large insects. Birds in certain locations may specialize in a specific prey item.
Behavior: Primarily forages by standing still in the water or walking slowly, and then striking quickly with it's bill when prey items are spotted. They will hunt day or night.
Nesting: April and May
Breeding Map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Great Blue Heron Song
Migrations: Birds in the northern half of the U.S. are generally migratory. Winters in southern U.S. or near coasts, also down through Mexico, Central America, and northern South America.
Similar Species: Superficially similar to Sandhill Crane, Great Egret, or other large cranes and egrets, but generally distinctive.
Status: Generally stable throughout its range.
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Great Blue Heron
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Great Blue Heron"
3)
E-nature.com: Great Blue Heron
Photo Information: May 2nd, 2003 -- Western Minnehaha County -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Great Blue Heron photos.
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Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08