March 24, 2000

     Great Blue Heron

The great blue heron -- or blue crane, as it is often called -- is the largest and best known of American herons.  Like most heron species, it is sociable, preferring to nest in congested communities that vary in size from a few pairs to hundreds of birds.  When the ice leaves lakes and streams, the birds come to feed on fish and frogs.

Great blue herons are stately, graceful birds that fly with slow, steady wing beats, necks drawn in and legs stretched out behind.  They stand taller than 3 feet, with much of their height made up of long legs and a long neck, and have wings that measure 6 feet from tip to tip.  The blue-gray color with largely white neck and head and 6-inch yellow bill also are distinguishing characteristics. They seldom weigh more than 7 pounds.

Great blue herons seem to belong to the wilderness of northern Minnesota lakes, but they also can be found in the southern part of the state.  In fact, the largest nesting colonies are found in the southeastern and central regions.  As nesting gets underway in April, the large nests, loosely constructed of sticks, are added to and used from year to year.