A giant with feet of clay: the Great Blue Heron

©AdobeStock

Motionless in the tall grasses, a great blue heron (Ardea herodias) gazes fixedly at the surface of the water, patiently awaiting a prey. With a rapid movement, it spears the water with its beak, triumphantly harpooning an unfortunate fish which it swallows, head first, with one gulp.

The great blue heron is one of the most widely distributed waders in North America – and perhaps the most impressive. It is highly recognizable, with its long, S-shaped neck, the spread of its wings – up to two metres in width – its elongated, trailing feet and its long, formidable beak. Two slim black plumes trail from the back of its head.

In the spring, upon its return from a winter stay in more clement climes, the majestic bird finds the colony where it hatched or where it has spent the most time in recent years. Heronry are protected by law and are often found on islands, beaver ponds or the treed banks of watercourses. Numerous couples will nest in one area, building their enormous nests of branches and twigs, the depression lined with moss, leaves and feathers.

The brood consists of two or three nestlings which are fed unceasingly all summer by the parents, who sometimes have to fly long distances to find food. Amphibians, fish of all sizes and small aquatic mammals make up most of the birds’ menu.

The numbers of this giant with feet of clay have been diminishing in Canada since the 1970s. The reduction is attributed to the diminishing populations of frogs, toads and salamanders, to disturbance of feeding and nesting sites by human activity, to pollution by various contaminants and to the draining and drying out of wetlands.

Other birds such as the black-crowned night herons, double-crested cormorants and great egrets also favour the same nesting sites, which are more and more rare around urban centres.

After a day spent fishing, the blue heron slowly returns to its nighttime perch, carried there by the flapping of its huge wings. For First Nations people, this bird symbolizes wisdom and progress. I don’t really know what about this bird impresses me most, but I wish it a safe journey.

 

More from this author by clicking on his photo below.

Jacques Prescott

 

Jacques Prescott131 Posts

Jacques Prescott est biologiste, professeur associé à la Chaire en éco-conseil de l’Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. Spécialiste de la biodiversité et du développement durable, il est l’auteur de nombreux livres et articles sur la faune et la conservation de la nature. Il nous fait l’honneur de rejoindre notre équipe de collaborateurs et signera chaque mois une chronique intitulée Faune et flore. / Jacques Prescott is a biologist, associate professor with the Chair in Eco-Counselling of the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. A specialist in biodiversity and sustainable development, he is the author of numerous books and articles about wildlife and nature conservation. He has honoured us by joining our team of contributors and will write a monthly column entitled Wildlife and Habitat.

0 Comments

Leave a Comment

Login

Welcome! Login in to your account

Remember me Lost your password?

Lost Password