Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Great Blue Heron

The largest member of the heron family in North America is the great blue heron. These prehistoric looking birds have a wingspan of over six feet and weigh up to eight pounds. They can be found in or near fresh or salt water from northern Canada to northern South America.
Great blue herons are carnivorous. They hunt by stalking through the shallow water on their long legs, when they spot prey they lung forward and attempt to catch the prey with their bill. Prey consists mostly of fish but they will also eat reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates as well as small mammals and birds. Because they do not have the ability to tear their food apart the way that raptors do herons have been known on occasion to choke to death while trying to swallow large prey.

9 comments:

Ramosforest.Environment said...

Great shot.
Thanks for info.
Luiz Ramos

Susan Ellis said...

Lovely photo - never realized they could choke - but makes sense when you think about it...

Gemma Wiseman said...

A beautiful, large, graceful bird! I am surprised that they select prey that could potentially choke them! Informative post and wonderful photo!

Snap said...

One of my favorite birds. Lovely!

eileeninmd said...

Great post and photos of the GB heron!

caite said...

Blue Herons are mighty, grand birds.
great captures.

JO said...

wow! that's a really close shot!

Mine's up. Happy WW.

eden said...

Beautiful birds. Great shots and thanks for the info.

Anonymous said...

wonderful for ww