Great Blue Heron

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Great Blue Heron Photo

Great Blue Herons live throughout California and in many parts of the United States year round. The stillness with which herons stalk their prey is impressive -- lurking in slow motion, then using their bill to spear fish. Although fish make up the bulk of the heron's diet, Great Blue Herons also eat small amphibians and rodents.

Identifying characteristics:

• Size: Up to 4 feet tall | Wingspan: to 6 feet
• Gray with white crown and black plume above the eye
• Long, S-shaped neck

Great Blue Herons nest in wetlands producing clutches of three to six eggs. They can live to be 20 years old.

^{Photo © Mike Baird
Creative Commons
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey | Cornell Lab of Ornithology}