Great Blue Heron

( Ardea herodias )

This elegant grayish-blue bird stands nearly 4 feet tall and can have a wingspan of 6 feet. The Great Blue Heron is easily identified by its large stature, black stripe above the eyes, red thighs and long pointed yellow bill measuring from 4 1/2 to 6 inches. In flight, their heads are folded back and their long legs held straight out behind. Their habitats in San Diego are the fresh and saltwater wetlands along the coast.

This bird is considered to be monogamous and begins its courtship period in February. Towards March, after building a nest in tall riparian trees, the female will lay a clutch of 3 to 5 large blue eggs which incubate for 28 days. The young can fly after about 2 months but will return to the nest to be fed by the adult.

The Blue Heron's diet is consistent with its wetland habitat. About 3 quarters of their food is fish which they spear with their long bills. The rest consists of frogs, snakes, lizards, rodents and crustaceans.

This bird is considered a "Special Animal" because of its shrinking habitat.