The great blue Heron, the living symbol of the Chesapeake Bay, is the largest and most widespread heron in North America. You can find this heron along the ocean shore, in the shallows of open water channels, creeks and mudflats in tidal rivers and marshes as well as freshwater ponds and ditches in wet meadows and fields. A great opportunist, the great blue heron has been seen in backyards, nowhere near their fishing grounds, standing in a tiny man-made pool picking off the owner’s pet gold fish.

These herons have become habituated to fisherman, often standing remarkably close to the angler as he surf casts. The bird’s reward is an occasional hand-out of a bait-fish. They are also seen standing on the bows of fishing boats, sedately, quietly waiting for a freebie.

They are year-round residents of the Bay and of most of the US.

They are known as a wading bird, standing still in shallow water, stalking slowly, quietly, deliberately, and then a quick stab of their bill to pull out a fish. Spending 90% of their waking time hunting, they consume small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, small mammals, and aquatic insects.

Herons breed in rookeries of sometimes, hundreds of nesting pairs. Colonies are located at isolated sites where ground predators are few, such as mud flats. swamps and small islands. Their nest, built by the male heron, is high up in the tree canopy and is loosely made of sticks and twigs.

Both parents incubate the eggs. Though they might have several eggs, the heron pair usually raises only one or two young. The others will starve quickly after hatching. The young fledge in about 8 weeks.

These unmistakable birds stand about 4 feet tall with a wingspan of over 6 feet. Standing very still as it waits for fish to swim within grasp, you can easily miss this bird as it is well camouflaged, blending with its background. As it takes off, the great blue holds its neck in an S-shape and flaps with slow, deep wingbeats. In flight, their slow, deliberate wingbeat rhythm and that S-shaped neck with those long legs trailing behind, give them a regal appearance. Slowly, deliberately going their own way, in no hurry.

Their vocalization is three or four hoarse croaks. These beautiful birds live about 15 years in the wild.

Also by this author, see The Osprey

© 2010 Consumer Guide by David Sullivan