Species Name: : Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Description: A large, long-legged wader. Adults are grayish blue, with white cheeks, a black cap that extends back into short plumes, a heavy yellow bill, rusty feathers on upper legs, long legs variable dark to yellow-green. Long neck usually held in an "S" curve; sometimes pulled back for a "neckless" look. A dark streak runs down the breast. Juvenile birds are grayer overall, lack crest plumes. In flight holds head back on body; long legs extend past tail. Flight appears slow and lumbering. Soars in migration along coast.

Two other forms occur in Florida, and were once considered distinct species. The "Great White Heron" has all white feathers, yellow bill and legs. The "Wurdemann's Heron" is essentially a normal plumaged Great Blue Heron but with a white head.

Range: Widespread throughout North America. Withdraws in winter from northern reaches of range. Limited local breeder, except along coast and in southern swamps.

Behavior: Found along coasts, lake, rivers, and often in fields being cultivated or watered. Breeds primarily in colonies, although solitary nests are sometimes encountered. Prefers to nest high in trees in swampy areas or other locations where predators have difficulty getting near. Wary of people, except where it sometimes takes handouts from fish factories or people fishing. In winter can sometimes be found around warm water discharge from power plants.

A slow and stately bird, patiently waiting in shallow water or on the edge for prey; then quickly stabbing with the sharp beak. Takes a surprisingly wide variety of prey: fish, eels, frogs, other marsh birds, small marsh mammals.

Related or Similar Species: Closely related to other herons and egrets of North America. White form often overlooked as a Great Egret, although slightly bigger and with yellow legs. In appearance almost identical to Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) of Europe.

Identification: The large size, patient manner, and normal plumage makes this bird an easy identification. Unfortunately, many non birders refer to any large bird, including the Great Blue Heron, as a "crane." The White morph can be confused with the Great Egret (Ardea alba), but is distinguished by size and yellow legs.

Advice on Finding and Photographing: Check around any consistent water: ocean shore, lakes, rivers. Look for birds standing out in agricultural fields under irrigation. Can be difficult to approach closely outside Florida. If you do manage to get close, be very careful of the dangerous bill. Vertical compositions can be used to display the tall erect countenance of this bird. The large size makes it a good design element in environmental landscapes as well. The large bill and long neck lend themselves to graphic design images concentrating on these parts.

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Richard Ditch been looking at birds and taking their photographs since the early 1970's, when he caught the "birding bug" from a friend at work. He was very active as a birder when he lived in New Jersey (1970-1994), maintaining lists of all the birds he saw each year in the state and elsewhere. Rich was a volunteer and field trip leader at the Owl Haven Nature Center (part of the New Jersey Audubon Society) and was a member of the Board of Directors for many years, along with being a frequent contributor to their quarterly magazine and to Records of New Jersey Birds. After moving to Phoenix, AZ in 1994 as a result of a job change, he found the birds to be a lot different and went through a rapid period of learning new species and new forms of species East. Richard is also a very active Member of our PhotoMigrations community and is a regular contributor to our forums. Please feel free to email him and be sure to visit his website located at: Birds in Nature - Images of Wild Birds.