Ardea herodias
Location: Back yard Dec '12 - three sightings. Twice landed in oak tree, once on ground. Might have had its eye on neighbor's backyard pond.
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Range: The great blue heron breeds from southern Canada south to the West Indies and Mexico. It winters as far north as southern Alaska and southern New England.
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Largest of the North American herons with long legs, a sinuous neck, and thick, daggerlike bill. Head, chest, and wing plumes give a shaggy appearance. In flight, the Great Blue Heron curls its neck into a tight 'S' shape; its wings are broad and rounded and its legs trail well beyond the tail.Look for Great Blue Herons in saltwater and freshwater habitats, from open coasts, marshes, sloughs, riverbanks, and lakes to backyard goldfish ponds. They also forage in grasslands and agricultural fields. Breeding birds gather in colonies or 'heronries' to build stick nests high off the ground. The great blue heron migrates in the fall, although some stay in the northern part of their range. Link Distribution photo photo photo photo Genus: Ardea (Large herons) Family: Ardeidae (Herons and Egrets) Order: Pelicaniformes (medium-sized and large waterbirds found worldwide) Class: Aves (Birds) Phylum/Division: Chordata (Spinal chorded) Kingdom: Animalia (Animals) |