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Blue Heron Nest Replay From Last Year's Nesting
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Great Blue Heron
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large, grayish-blue wading bird with a long bill, neck, and legs. It is practically the only large "crane-like" bird in the Pacific Northwest (the sandhill crane (Grus candensis) is native but uncommon). In flight, the great blue heron can be recognized by its long neck folded back on the shoulders, its long trailing legs, and its slow, deep wing beats. Adults can be recognized by the presence of a blue plume. Males and females are virtually identical.
Great blue herons are found year-round throughout the Pacific Northwest, except for the arid grasslands and interior forests. They are at home in both salt and fresh water and are seen on lakes, ponds, rivers, marshes, mudflats, irrigation ditches, farm fields, and meadows. For information on belted kingfishers, see "Notes on the Belted Kingfisher."
Great blue herons reach 4 feet in height and have wingspans of nearly 6 feet. Because of hollow bones, adults weight an average of only five pounds. They have long necks and a long bill adapted for grasping prey.
