Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Description: The Great Blue
Heron is the largest and most widespread heron in North America.
It is a large bird, with a slate-gray body, chestnut and black
accents, and very long legs and an "S"-shaped neck. Great Blue
Herons are very tall and stand 38-54 inches (97-137 cm). In
flight, the bird looks enormous, with a six-foot wingspan. The
call of the Great Blue Heron is a deep, hoarse croak. Range /
Habitat: In Washington, the Great Blue Heron is common in
marshes, mud flats, and agricultural areas at low to mid
elevations on both sides of the Cascade crest. They nest
colonially in trees near water and then disperse to feeding
areas. Along river valleys they may be found at fairly high
elevations, for example, along the Skagit River near Ross Lake.
Great Blue Herons also occur at some mid-elevation lakes in
Kittitas County, however, these birds may not be breeding. In
eastern Washington, the Great Blue Heron is generally found from
the Ponderosa Pine zone and below in suitab