Herons
Common from the Alaskan coast through to the Galapagos Islands, Great
Blue Herons are the largest member of the heron family found in North
America. At full height they reach over 3 feet and have a wing span of
over 70 inches. Its head is white with a broad black stripe on either
side that extends into long narrow feathers at the back of its head. The
body is a dark grayish-blue with streaked underparts. During the
breeding season the head, lower neck and back are ornated with long,
slender plumes. The extraordinary long, thin legs are orange/yellow.
Birdwatchers find this heron easy to identify even in silhouette as it
will stand with its head hunched upon its shoulders or an alertly
extended neck. In flight the neck is folded into the shoulders and the
legs held stiffly behind while the huge wings dip and rise in a slow,
deep wingbeat.
» Length: 38 inches Wingspan: 70 inches
» Sexes similar
» Huge long-legged long-necked wader
» Usually holds neck in an "S" curve at rest and in flight
» Long, thick, yellow bill
Adult:
» White crown and face
» Black plume extending from above and behind eye to beyond back of head » Brownish-buff neck with black-bordered » white stripe down center of foreneck
» Blue-gray back, wings and belly
» Black shoulder
» Shaggy neck and back plumes in alternate plumage
0 comments: