How to Identify a Great Blue Heron

Great blue herons are part of the Ciconiiformes order and the family of butterns, herons and egrets. Sometimes mistaken for a crane, the great blue heron can live 15 years, but most do not make it past 1 year. If you live in North America, you have a good chance of spotting a great blue heron if you know how to identify it.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Consider where you are. Great blue herons are found in North American wetlands in such states as Florida, Alaska, Wisconsin and southern parts of New England. The birds prefer habitats such as lakes and rivers and sometimes gather at fish hatcheries.
2. Look at the coloring of the bird. Great blue herons are blue-gray in color with a white head, yellow bill and brown legs and feet. Its eyes are yellow and they have a black stripe above each eye extending to the back of the neck.
3. Check out the body of the bird. Great blue herons have long bills, long necks and very long narrow legs. They are typically 32 to 72 inches tall. There is a plume of feathers at the back of its neck that looks like a ponytail.
4. Watch the bird fly. It is hard to miss a great blue heron in flight because of its 6 foot wide wing span. They can fly as fast as 23 miles per hour. The great blue heron is commonly confused with the crane, but a heron's neck is crooked while flying and the crane keeps its neck straight.
5. Listen to the bird. The great blue heron makes a sound like "kraaank" that is loud and hoarse. Some say it sounds like squabbling and squawking.