(typo) |
(id) |
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
There is also an all white version of the Great Blue Heron, the "Great White" Heron, that can be found in southern [[Florida]]. It has yellow legs, a yellow bill and white feathers. | There is also an all white version of the Great Blue Heron, the "Great White" Heron, that can be found in southern [[Florida]]. It has yellow legs, a yellow bill and white feathers. | ||
[[Image:d05_105.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Great White Heron<br />Photo by {{user|Gary+Clark|Gary Clark}}<br />[[Everglades National Park]], [[Florida]].]] | [[Image:d05_105.jpg|thumb|350px|right|Great White Heron<br />Photo by {{user|Gary+Clark|Gary Clark}}<br />[[Everglades National Park]], [[Florida]].]] | ||
| − | |||
An intermediate, "Würdemann's heron" should be common in southern Florida. This species looks like a normal Great Blue Heron except it has a white head. | An intermediate, "Würdemann's heron" should be common in southern Florida. This species looks like a normal Great Blue Heron except it has a white head. | ||
| + | ====Similar species==== | ||
| + | The risk of misidentification is greatest for the "Great White Heron" type, and here are some pointers for each of a number of possible mistakes: | ||
| + | *[[Great Egret]] has yellow bill but black legs (yellow legs in Great White Heron) | ||
| + | *[[Snowy Egret]]s have a black bill and black legs, both of which are wrong for this species (do look at juveniles that are less clear-cut) and the bill is finer and more pointed | ||
| + | *[[Cattle Egret]] would have a much smaller bill and shorter legs | ||
| + | *Juvenile [[Little Blue Heron]] or white morph [[Reddish Egret]] would not have a yellow bill or yellow on the legs. | ||
==Distribution== | ==Distribution== | ||
It is found throughout most of North America, including [[Alaska]], [[Quebec]] and [[Nova Scotia]]. The range extends south through [[Florida]], [[Mexico]] and the [[Caribbean]] to [[South America]].<br /> | It is found throughout most of North America, including [[Alaska]], [[Quebec]] and [[Nova Scotia]]. The range extends south through [[Florida]], [[Mexico]] and the [[Caribbean]] to [[South America]].<br /> | ||
| Line 36: | Line 41: | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
# Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019 | # Clements, James F. 2007. ''The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World''. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019 | ||
| + | #[http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?p=1581195 Thread] in the id forum discussing the "Great White" form | ||
| + | {{ref}} | ||
==External Links== | ==External Links== | ||
{{GSearch|Ardea+herodias}} | {{GSearch|Ardea+herodias}} | ||
Revision as of 00:30, 11 September 2009
- Ardea herodias
Photo by stejon
Identification
The largest heron in North America
Ht. 3-4 ft
W. 6ft
- Blue-gray feathers on most of its body
- Plume of feathers on its chest and back during breeding
- Long, pointed yellow bill
- Long legs
- Adults have white on the top of their heads and long black plumes above their eyes
- Juveniles have elongated spots and stripes on their neck and upper breast area
"Great White" Heron
There is also an all white version of the Great Blue Heron, the "Great White" Heron, that can be found in southern Florida. It has yellow legs, a yellow bill and white feathers.
An intermediate, "Würdemann's heron" should be common in southern Florida. This species looks like a normal Great Blue Heron except it has a white head.
Similar species
The risk of misidentification is greatest for the "Great White Heron" type, and here are some pointers for each of a number of possible mistakes:
- Great Egret has yellow bill but black legs (yellow legs in Great White Heron)
- Snowy Egrets have a black bill and black legs, both of which are wrong for this species (do look at juveniles that are less clear-cut) and the bill is finer and more pointed
- Cattle Egret would have a much smaller bill and shorter legs
- Juvenile Little Blue Heron or white morph Reddish Egret would not have a yellow bill or yellow on the legs.
Distribution
It is found throughout most of North America, including Alaska, Quebec and Nova Scotia. The range extends south through Florida, Mexico and the Caribbean to South America.
Very rare vagrant to the Azores and United Kingdom.
Migrates in the fall, although some stay in the northern part of their range.
Taxonomy
Five subspecies are recognized[1]:
- A.h. fannini - SE Alaska to coastal Washington
- A.h. herodias - S. Canada to s Baja California and Central America
- A.h. wardi - S-central USA to Gulf Coast and Florida
- A.h. occidentalis - S. Florida through West Indies to islands off Venezuela
- A.h. cognata - Galapagos Islands
Habitat
Margins of lakes and slow-flowing rivers, swamps and marshes, frequently on sea-coasts, in estuaries and mangroves.
Behaviour
Usually tucks its head into an S-shape when it is resting and flying.
References
- Clements, James F. 2007. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to October 2007. Ithaca: Cornell University Press. ISBN 9780801445019
- Thread in the id forum discussing the "Great White" form
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Great Blue Heron. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Great_Blue_Heron
External Links
