Wildlife : Identification Tips
- 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
Immature:
- Black cap
- Brownish-gray back and upperwings
- Lacks shaggy neck and back plumes
- Lacks black plume extending from behind eye
"Great White Heron":
- White morph of Great Blue Heron
- Large yellow bill
- Yellow legs
- White plumage
- Single white plume extending back from above eye
- Found only in South Florida, rarely north along the coast
Fun FactThe Great Blue Heron is relatively quiet compared to other members of its family. The heron releases a soft "kraak" when it is disturbed and in flight. Other calls of the heron include a "fraunk" when the bird is disturbed near its nest, and an "ar" when the heron is greeting other members of its species. |
