2005 Bay Game Header Lighthouses Word Fun Detectives Maze Fish Facts Critters Puzzles Blue Crab Bay Facts DNR Home  
 

photo of Great Blue Heron along shoreline courtesy of Lee Karney U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service - type reads: Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron
(Ardea cyanocephalus)
 Lee Karney U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Although occasionally found feeding in loose flocks, the great blue heron is usually a solitary hunter. As much as two thirds of its diet consists of fish, but it also takes a wide variety of other aquatic animals, as well as land-dwelling rodents and snakes.

Bay Game 2005

Our most famous heron is Ol' Blue,
who helps us help the Bay all year long!

illustration of Ol' Blue character in boat wearing life jacket: type reads: Don't Forget Your Life Jacket

illustration of Ol' Blue character in flight

Photo of Great Blue Heron nesting in a rookery, courtesy of Gary R. Zahm, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Great Blue Herons . . .

  • nest close to each other in colonies called "rookeries"

  • live around both fresh and salt water and can be found
    along the edges of streams, ponds, lakes, rivers and bays

  • can have a 7-foot wingspan
  • can fly 20 to 30 miles per hour.

Photo of Great Blue Heron on nesting in a rookery,
courtesy of Gary R. Zahm, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

See them up close!

 Great Blue Heron sightings are fairly common on Maryland's eastern shore.
If you are driving along Rte 50 to Ocean City, just keep your eyes open!

clickable button reads LEARN MORE

arrow reads Back to Critter Corner
 

 

 

  
   
 

2005 Bay Game Footer Lighthouses Word Fun Detectives Maze Fish Facts Critters Puzzles Blue Crab Bay Facts DNR Home