Ardea herodias- Great Blue Heron

View range map of Great Blue Heron here.

The Great Blue Heron is the largest (length 46") and most widespread heron in North America. A long legged, long necked wader, this heron can be seen in many wetland environments. The Great Blue Heron will stand motionless for long periods while hunting. When a fish comes within reach it will quickly stab it with its bill. Nesting takes place in colonies, sometimes of mixed species. Both members of the pair build the nest, which is a platform constructed of interwoven twigs, lined with leaves. The female lays 3-5 blue/green eggs, which both birds incubate for about 28 days. The chicks are semialtricial (downy, eyes open, fed by parents) and are brooded for three to four weeks after hatching. The chicks fledge at 7-8 weeks of age. Less the victim of plume hunters than other heron species, Great Blue Heron populations have remained stable. However habit loss on the nesting grounds is a threat.

View range map of Great Egret here.

The Great Egret is the largest egret in the world (Length 39"). In flight its long neck is held in an S curve, making it easily distinguishable from other large white birds. A long legged, wading bird, the Great Egret hunts fish, invertebrates, amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals. When prey comes within reach it stabs it with its long yellow bill. Aigrettes; long plumes are used during courtship display. The nest is constructed within a colony, with other heron species which may contain thousands of nesting birds. A platform nest of sticks is placed in a tree or shrub. The female lays 3-6 blue/green eggs, which the pair incubates for 22-26 days. The chicks are semialtricial (immobile, downy, eyes open, fed) and the parents feed them regurgitated fish. Great Egret populations were decimated by plume hunters in the late 1800s and early 1900s, causing a 95% reduction in numbers. Following legal protection, the species has recovered well, but is threatened by the continued loss of wetland habitat.

• Subfamily Threskiornithinae- Ibises
• Subfamily Plataleinae- Spoonbills
• There are no flock members in these subfamilies.