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Henry Sowell

Vol. I · Est. 2026

Pl. XI
Field-journal plate: Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron plate as rendered on the e-ink frame
As rendered on the frame

The Birds · Plate XI

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Ardeidae · Taxon 4956

Length1.0–1.4 m
Wingspan1.7–2.0 m
Weight2.1–2.5 kg

Field marks

  1. Very large, long-legged wader with a long S-curved neck
  2. Blue-gray body and broad gray wings, with darker flight feathers
  3. Whitish head and neck marked by a bold black stripe extending into rear plumes
  4. Long, heavy, straight yellowish bill
  5. Pale yellow eye; long legs gray to yellowish-green
  6. In flight, neck is tucked in while the long legs trail well beyond the short tail

HabitatMarshes, swamps, pond and lake edges, slow rivers, shorelines, tidal flats, and shallow coastal waters; nests commonly in trees or shrubs near water.

BehaviorTypically hunts by standing still or walking slowly in shallow water, then striking prey rapidly with its bill; flies with the neck folded back and long legs extended behind.

Palette

blue-grayslate graywhiteblackyellow