Portland,
Oregon could hardly have chosen a more flattering city bird than the great blue
heron (Ardea herodias). Standing almost 3-1/2 feet tall, this aristocratic
bird is exquisite in plumage, form, flight, and feeding. This migrating species
is the largest and most widely dispersed heron of North America. It is slate-blue/gray,
becoming darker on the tail. The neck, abdomen, and breast are grayish-white
with interspersed rust. The beak is yellow and scissor-like, about five-inches
long.
Even though the wingspan averages six feet, the heron is a slender bird, weighing
under 10 pounds. It will hunt on open land for herpetiles, small rodents, small
birds, and snails, but more often it hunts aquatic life in fresh water or salt-water
marshes.
When hunting, it stands in the shallow water motionless except for its eyes
and head. When it spots prey, it strikes forcefully into the water usually grabbing
a fish in its bill and tossing it down its gullet. Great blue herons roost,
nest, and migrate in colonies. Typically, they nest in high trees in groups
of around 20 pairs. Nests may be as wide as four feet across. Females lay between
three to five eggs.
The greatest threat to this species is habitat loss from wetlands drainage
and development. Also, pollution and pesticides have an adverse effect on their
health.
Portland,
Oregon could hardly have chosen a more flattering city bird than the great blue
heron (Ardea herodias). Standing almost 3-1/2 feet tall, this aristocratic
bird is exquisite in plumage, form, flight, and feeding. This migrating species
is the largest and most widely dispersed heron of North America. It is slate-blue/gray,
becoming darker on the tail. The neck, abdomen, and breast are grayish-white
with interspersed rust. The beak is yellow and scissor-like, about five-inches
long.