Great Blue Heron
A large, common, and widespread
The Great Blue Heron is perhaps the most well-known wading bird found in North America. It is likely to be found hunting near Green Herons and Red-winged Blackbirds in the wetland, along with Sanderlings as well as
Great Egrets at the seashore, or fishing for Koi in a backyard pond. A Great Blue Heron is a species that is adaptable, as is its number rising at a time when other species of birds are suffering. A popular subject for wildlife photographers. There’s something ancient with the Great Blue Heron, and there’s a reason behind this.
Relying on the past success
The Great Blue Heron probably never had a relationship with Tyrannosaurus Rex and other dinos. In the Mesozoic Era, or the age of dinosaurs, ended approximately 65 million years ago. Although some birds lived alongside dinosaurs, none of the current animal species is as old. While the Genus Ardea has been around for 14 million years ago, the oldest fossils from the Great Blue Heron are from the Pleistocene Epoch,
which was about 1.8 million years back. Therefore, the species’ “prehistoric” style of appearancethat is, its thick, long bill; curvaceous, powerful neck, and legs that are long — is more of a reflection of the successful adoptions that have been beneficial to the species in the last 1.8 million of years.
This doesn’t mean there’s no evidence
that suggests that it’s the case that Great Blue Heron has stopped developing. Numerous populations were able to change in size and physical dimensions over time due to varying environmental factors. Ornithologists also are puzzled by the taxonomy of this species. There are anywhere from four to nine subspecies that are recognized, Texas Birds
including one called the “Great White Heron” which is a pure white species located within areas like the Florida Keys and the West Indies. The population is thought of by some as an entirely separate species. If an “blue” Great Blue Heron is paired with a “Great White Heron,” it results in an “Wurdemann’s Heron” that has white heads and a broader resemblance to the “blue” Great Blue Heron. Texas Birds
Unique Appearance
Great Blue is by far the most massive heron found in North America, standing close to five feet high, with wingspans that can reach 6.5 feet. The size of the bird, it’s blue-gray coloring, and black-striped head differentiates it from other larger North American herons, including the Great Egret and the Reddish Egret.
The tallest and most overall-gray wading bird that is found in North America is the Sandhill Crane, which features a dark bill, a red crown, and a body very different from that of the heron, with the “bustle” at the hind side (formed by the innermost feathers of flight, also known as Tertials). The cranes fly with their necks stretched out, while herons generally fly with their necks tucked into an elongated “S” design. When flying, the magnificent blue’s low, slow wingbeats, and their curved neck position are distinctive.
In the course of the year,
The Great Blue Heron can be seen near any water body in North America. The bird breeds in southern Alaska through central Canada from central Canada to Nova Scotia, south to parts of the Caribbean, and northern Mexico (rarely in northern Belize too).
This population of northern breeders moves towards warmer climates during the coldest seasons. In winter, the magnificent blue can be found throughout Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean to the northern shores of South America. A resident population is found throughout the Galapagos archipelago. While usually, it is solitary during the nesting season it is possible that the Great Blue Heron sometimes migrates in small groups, either at night or during the day.
The Great Blue Heron is usually silent. The Great Blue Heron sounds off whenever it is disturbed or while at its nest. In fact, their breeding colonies can be very noisy. The most frequently heard call is a loud “cranky” screech.
Not a Picky Eater
It is believed that the Great Blue Heron will eat anything it can catch using its enormous bill of fish, crustaceans reptiles, amphibians, reptiles small mammals, and birds especially ducklings. The Great Blue Heron usually hunts alone in search of food using its eyes. When the Great Blue Heron spots a food source, it flies at it swiftly, straightening its long powerful neck, grasping its prey by its spear-like bill before swallowing it up the whole. The excellent night vision of this bird allows the multi-faceted bird to hunt even in darkness and in daylight.
Colonial Nester
It is believed that the Great Blue Heron nests in colonies may comprise up to several hundreds of stick-built nests. These colonies sometimes referred to as Rookeries, are typically situated high in trees close to or above water, or on islands, in order to prevent predation from mammals and reptiles.
Sometimes, the colonies are located in lower bushes and bushes, and sometimes directly on the ground. The great blues who nest there may be able to use human-made platforms, provided that they are safe from predators. Couples frequently come back to the same colonies and reuse nests from years past.
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