Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Folk Art by Robert Wallace

Photo by BarrytheBirder

The Great Blue Heron is the largest and most widespread heron in Canada and the U.S.A.   Frequently solitary,  except around nesting colonies, lone birds are often seen flapping overhead, even miles from water.   They stand patiently at the waterside, waiting to spear fish or other amphibian creatures.  Two distinct forms of Great Blue are restricted to Florida: "Great White Heron (all white with yellow bill, pale legs) and  Wundemann's Heron (white-headed), mostly in the Keys.

The Great Blue is common buts breeds sporadically across large parts of its range.   A few birds winter far north of its breeding range.

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BarrytheBirder