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Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Least Concern
Panjang
117,0 cm
Rentang Sayap
183,0 cm
Berat
2400,0 g
Famili
Ardeidae
Ordo
Pelecaniformes

Blue-grey with a white, black-striped head and a long, dagger-like bill, the Great Blue Heron is a patient ambush hunter that stands motionless in shallow water before striking with lightning speed. Fish form the bulk of its prey, along with frogs, snakes, small mammals, insects, and other birds. In flight the neck folds into an S, and rufous thighs complete the unmistakable profile. It frequents marshes, swamps, riverbanks, lake edges, and coastal shores, and also hunts in fields and meadows, from Alaska and southern Canada to the Caribbean and the Galapagos. Platform nests hold two to seven eggs, incubated for 25 to 29 days, with young fledging near 60 days. For so large a wader it is mostly silent, giving a deep, harsh croak in flight. It is assessed as Least Concern.

Tentang

The great blue heron is the largest heron in North America, standing up to 1.4 meters tall. These patient hunters can stand motionless for extended periods before striking at prey with remarkable speed. They nest in large colonies called heronries, often returning to the same site year after year.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Body Length 117,0 cm 46.1 in
Rentang Sayap 183,0 cm 72.0 in
Berat 2400,0 g 84.66 oz

Identifikasi

Bulu

Blue-grey body with a white head bearing a broad black stripe extending to a long black plume. Rufous-brown thighs. In flight, the neck is folded into an S-shape.

Paruh

Long, dagger-like yellowish bill

Habitat & Range

Wetlands of all types including marshes, swamps, riverbanks, lake edges, and coastal shores. Also hunts in fields and meadows.

Rentang Geografis

North and Central America from Alaska and southern Canada to the Caribbean and Galapagos Islands.

Diet & Feeding

Primarily fish, also frogs, snakes, small mammals, insects, and other birds. Hunts by standing motionless in shallow water and striking with lightning speed.

Status Konservasi

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Perilaku & Berkembang Biak

Bersarang

Nest type: PL. Incubation: 25-29 days. Fledging: 60 days.

Ukuran Sarang

2-7

Suara

Kicauan

Deep, harsh, croaking 'frahnk-frahnk' call in flight. Also gives low guttural grunts at the nest. Alarmed birds give repeated croaks. Mostly silent for such a large wader.

Taksonomi

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordo Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons)
Famili Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets)
Genus Ardea
Spesies Ardea herodias

Names in Other Languages

Language Name
German Kanadareiher
Spanish Garza Azulada

Distribution

Great Blue Heron has been recorded in 9 countries.

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Hadir Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

Pertanyaan yang Sering Diajukan

What does the Great Blue Heron eat?
Primarily fish, also frogs, snakes, small mammals, insects, and other birds. Hunts by standing motionless in shallow water and striking with lightning speed.
Where does the Great Blue Heron live?
Wetlands of all types including marshes, swamps, riverbanks, lake edges, and coastal shores. Also hunts in fields and meadows.
Is the Great Blue Heron endangered?
The Great Blue Heron has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Great Blue Heron nest?
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 25-29 days. Fledging: 60 days.
What does the Great Blue Heron sound like?
Deep, harsh, croaking 'frahnk-frahnk' call in flight. Also gives low guttural grunts at the nest. Alarmed birds give repeated croaks. Mostly silent for such a large wader.
How big is the Great Blue Heron?
The Great Blue Heron has a body length of 117.0 cm, wingspan of 183.0 cm, weight of 2400.0 g.
What order and family does the Great Blue Heron belong to?
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) belongs to the order Pelecaniformes and the family Ardeidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Ardeidae family

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