Wildlife : Similar Species : Green Heron
Identification Tips:
- Length: 14 inches Wingspan: 25 inches
- Sexes similar
- Small, short-legged and short-necked heron
- Yellow legs
- Tucks neck in close to body in flight and often at rest, rarely extending it
- Black cap
- Blue-gray back and wings
Adult:
- Chestnut neck
- White chin
- White stripe down center of neck
Immature:
- Reddish-brown and white streaks on head and neck
- Extensive white spots on wing coverts
Similar species:
No similar species. Least Bittern is much smaller with buff head and neck and buff patches on wing coverts.
Length and wingspan from: Robbins, C.S., Bruun, B., Zim, H.S., (1966). Birds of North America. New York: Western Publishing Company, Inc.
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. |
