Kim_Johnson
This week I am sharing some of our local wildlife. I started this series with, The Red Tail Hawk seen here.
Now is the Great Blue Herons time to be highlighted.
I don’t get to see much wildlife when I go for my walks as the dogs are usually with me. This day we came upon a Great Blue Heron wading in a pond nearby. He heard the dogs and took refuge in this treetop. After some time he flew back down and continued fishing.
I always feel like I have stepped back in time when I see one of these huge birds. They sound and look prehistoric to me. They remind me of the giant Pterodactyl you see in the times of the dinosaur. They kind of sound like I would image one of those prehistoric looking reptiles sounding, and you can hear their wing beats as they fly.
The wingspan is 65 to 19 inches. (167-201 cm)
They are about 38 to 53 inches long. (97-137 cm) and weigh 74 to 88 ounces. (2100-2500 g)
They live in fresh and saltwater habitats, and eat fish, frogs, insects and other birds.
The male collects much of the nest material and presents them to the female. She then weaves a platform and nest. This can take from three days to two weeks. The nests are around 20 inches to 4 feet across, and 3 feet deep.
The only Heron that is on The birds to watch list, (meaning they are at risk of being threatened or endangered.) is the Great White Heron, not to be confused with the Snowy White Egret. They live Florida, while the Great Blue Heron lives in most of the states in the USA, and other places in the world.
Do you have this bird in your area?
