The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is one of the most commonly sighted birds in my area (Oregon Coast). Standing up to four feet tall, heron’s can be spotted anywhere shallow water is present. Using their incredible eyesight, heron’s will stand completely still for extended time periods waiting on prey. Fish, amphibians, and even small mammals are all in the Blue Heron’s diet. And while they may look big on the ground, when in flight they can look like a completely different animal. With wing spans of 6-7 feet, they fly with a slow and steady wing beat and their necks tucked slightly back in a “U”. As common as sightings are on the ground and in the air, the most fun is when seen in trees. Heron’s nest in groups, called rookeries, and at times may be seen in larger groups during nesting time. While they will nest on the ground at times, they most commonly nest high in trees in large groups. One can hear their strange, deep and raspy calls echo through the mist filled forest on the Oregon Coast’s Alder Island, where a smaller rookery is present from late winter to early summer.
