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  • Home
  • Four Habitats
    • Habitats Description
    • Marsh Introduction >
      • Life in the Marsh
      • Marsh Dynamics
    • Forest Introduction >
      • Life In the Forest
      • Forest Dynamics
    • Open Fields Introduction >
      • Life in the Fields
      • Field Dynamics
    • Creeks Introduction >
      • Life In the Creeks
      • Creek Dynamics
  • Photo Gallery
    • Marsh Photo Gallery
    • Forest Photo Gallery
    • Fields Photo Gallery
    • Creeks Photo Gallery
  • Geology
    • Park Geology
  • Interpretive Signs Trail
    • Interpretive Signs Trail Map
    • Salt Water Marsh
    • Mammals
    • Birds and Waterfowl
    • Invasive Species
    • Fresh Water Marsh
    • Reptiles
    • Vernal Pools
    • Forest Regeneration
    • Forest
    • Longleaf Pines
    • Geology Sign
    • Recently Planted Trees
    • Bluebird Boxes
    • Small Woodlot
    • Bald Eagles
    • Great Blue Herons

More Information about Great Blue Herons

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Introduction
Whether poised at a river bend or cruising the coastline with slow, deep wing beats, the Great Blue Heron is a majestic sight. This stately heron with its subtle blue-gray plumage often stands motionless as it scans for prey or wades belly deep with long, deliberate steps. They may move slowly, but Great Blue Herons can strike like lightning to grab a fish or snap up a gopher. In flight, look for this widespread heron’s tucked-in neck and long legs trailing out behind.
Some facts to consider
  • Hunting Great Blue Herons wade slowly or stand statue-like, stalking fish and other prey in shallow water or open fields.
  • The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America.   It has long legs, a sinuous neck, and thick, dagger-like bill. Head, chest, and wing plumes give a shaggy appearance. In flight, the Great Blue Heron curls its neck into a tight “S” shape; its wings are broad and rounded and its legs trail well beyond the tail.
  • Male Great Blue Herons collect much of the nest material, gathering sticks from the ground and nearby shrubs and trees, and from unguarded and abandoned nests, and presenting them to the female. She weaves a platform and a saucer-shaped nest cup, lining it with pine needles, moss, reeds, dry grass, mangrove leaves, or small twigs. Nest building can take from 3 days up to 2 weeks; the finished nest can range from a simple platform measuring 20 inches across to more elaborate structures used over multiple years, reaching 4 feet across and nearly 3.5 feet deep.
Click on the THOUGHT QUESTIONS button below to learn more and test your knowledge about Great Blue Herons.
Select either of the other buttons to learn more our herons in Virginia.
Thought Questions
All About Birds
Great Blue Herons

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