The Great Blue Heron is also referred to as a Crane or a Blue Crane.  It maintains a year round population in most of the United States as well as up the western coast of Canada. In southern Canada and some northern parts of the United States, it will migrate south during the winter, down into Central America.

The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America. It has an amazing wingspan of 77-82 inches and can stand up to 52 inches tall.  The most unique feature of this heron is it's S-shaped neck. The heron folds its neck into this shape when it flies. This is typical of other types of herons as well. This heron has a long yellowish beak (which turns orange colored during the breeding season), a white neck, a blue-gray body and a short grayish tail. It's large wings are gray-black with white patches on the tops.  It has a red-brown patch right above it's long legs, which are blackish, becoming orangish during the breeding season.

In flight, the Great Blue Heron lets its long legs trail behind its body. When not flying, it's legs are together. They can stand for long periods of time, waiting patiently in the water for fish. These birds are also known to feast on insects, reptiles, amphibians and small birds.  It can also feed in deeper waters, but often feeds in shallow waters during the dusk or dawn hours. It also uses it's long legs for walking slowly through the water or other marshy, grassy areas.