Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron, Ardea herodias

The Great Blue Heron can be seen year round for the majority of the United States, in parts of southern Canada in the summer, and throughout Central America during the winter. It is the largest of the North American herons which can be found in a large variety of both saltwater and freshwater habitats. Their prey involves anything they can strike and catch as they slowly wade through the deep waters. With a high percentage of rod-type photoreceptors, this heron can hunt during either the night or day. This widespread aquatic species has become important as a biomonitor for ecosystem contamination. The Great Blue Heron has a a high trophic position and low sensitivity to organochlorine contaminants. This allows for contaminant accumulation, but without the immediate adverse effects. Due to their size, the Great Blue Heron has few predators, the majority of which are large raptors.