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Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Least Concern
体長
117.0 cm
翼開長
183.0 cm
体重
2400.0 g
Ardeidae
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.

について

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
翼開長 183.0 cm 72.0 in
体重 2400.0 g 84.66 oz

識別

羽毛

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.

くちばし

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.

分布域

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.

保全状況

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

行動と繁殖

営巣

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

一腹卵数

2-7

鳴き声

さえずり

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.

分類学

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons)
Ardeidae (Herons & Egrets)
Genus Ardea
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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生息あり Not recorded
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countries highlighted

External Databases

よくある質問

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

比較

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