Ardea herodias
Range
Winters from southern Canada south to South America. Breeds from Southern Alaska, across Canada, south through the U.S.
Habitat
Located in marshes, by rivers, lakes, ponds and seacoasts. (Their wetland habitat can be located in forest and mountainous areas).
Body Traits
They are tall, up to 4.5 feet with a long s-shaped neck. They are mostly gray with white on the top of the head and a black shoulder patch. They have a long, thick, yellow beak and yellow eyes. They fly with a crooked neck, and have a 7 ft. wingspan. Males and females look alike.
Habits
They can be spotted standing statue-like by water’s edge.
Diet
They eat mainly fish, but will also take amphibians, reptiles, birds and small mammals.
Reproduction
They sometimes nest in big groups (colonies). They build a large nest of sticks and line it with soft things, like grass and moss. Their nests are usually high in trees. Females lay 2-6 pale, blue eggs.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vetebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Ciconiiformes
Family: Ardeidae
Subfamily: Ardeinae
Genus: Ardea
Species: Ardea herodias