Did You Know?
1. In flight Great Blue Herons average about 25 mph, their maximum flight speed can approach 35 mph.
2. The Great Blue Heron can swallow a fish that much wider than its narrow neck. 3. Adult Great Blues are about three feet tall, but their long legs can stretch them to about four feet; their wingspan is about six feet. These vary large birds only weigh 5 to 6 pounds. 4. In the 1900s herons were hunted for their feathers. The beautiful feathers were used on women's hats. Heron populations started decreasing dramatically so it was outlawed in the 20th century. 5. Herons make their nests in groups called "heronries". The largest heronry in America is in Renton, Washington where there are about 135 active nests. [1] 6. Herons can sleep on one leg for hours to keep their featherless leg warm [2] |