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Wildlife
- Birds - |
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias) M, B |
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RANGE: Breeds from southern Alaska, coastal and
southern British Columbia, southern Keewatin, and central
Manitoba east to Nova Scotia and south, except in high
mountains. Winters from southern-coastal Alaska, coastal British
Columbia, central United States, and southern New England south
to northern South America.
STATUS: Common throughout range.
HABITAT: Inhabits a wide variety of freshwater and saltwater
habitats including ponds, lakes, streams, rivers, marshes, wet
meadows, tidal flats, sandbars, and shallow bays, or wherever
shallow water or marsh vegetation is present.
SPECIAL HABITAT REQUIREMENTS: Open water or wetland habitats.
NEST: Generally nests in colonies, preferably in an isolated
patch of woodland or on an island. Builds nests in the tops of
the tallest trees, live or dead, often above 50 feet, but also
in bushes, on rock ledges, sea cliffs, in tule rushes, and on
the ground. In colonies, may build dozens of nests, which are
used repeatedly, in the crown of the same tree. In mixed
heronries, typically nests in highest parts of trees while other
heron species occupy lower parts of same trees. May travel as
far as 10 miles from nest sites to foraging areas.
FOOD: Usually stands motionless in shallow water and waits until
prey comes within striking distance. Also forages in wet
meadows, pastures, dry fields, and even along road shoulders and
in suburban ponds. Consumes small fishes, frogs, salamanders,
lizards, snakes, shrimp, crabs, crayfish, aquatic and land
insects, leeches, and small mammals.
REFERENCES: Low and Mansell 1983, Palmer 1962, Pough 1951, Sykes
in Farrand 1983a, Terres 1980, Verner and Boss 1980. |
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