Great Blue Heron

107-132 cm (42-52") Common and widespread across North America. Lakes, ponds, rivers, swamps, and marshes. Our largest heron. Often miscalled crane, it is not a true crane.

Head white except for black stripe over eye; blue-gray body; underparts dark. Tricolored Heron has this pattern reversed with head being dark and underparts white.

An all white phase, known as Wurdermann's Heron or Great White Heron, can be found in southern Florida. The similar Great Egret is smaller and has black legs.

Feeds deliberately, as it walks slowly or stands still.

Flies with slow wingbeats.

Song: loud croaks.

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