Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)
* Family: Ardeidae,
* Genus: Ardea,
* Species: A. herodias,
* Class: Aves,
* Type: Bird,
* Diet: Carnivore,
* Average life span in the wild: 15 years,
* Size: Body, 3.2 to 4.5 ft (1 to 1.4 m); Wingspan, 5.5 to 6.6 ft (1.7 to 2 m),
* Weight: 4.6 to 7.3 lbs (2.1 to 2.5 kg),
* Group name: Colony.
** The tall, long-legged great blue heron is the most common and largest of North American herons.
***Great blue herons are waders, typically seen along coastlines, in marshes, or near the shores of ponds or streams. They are expert fishers. Herons snare their aquatic prey by walking slowly, or standing still for long periods of time and waiting for fish to come within range of their long necks and blade-like bills. The deathblow is delivered with a quick thrust of the sharp bill, and the prey is swallowed whole.
More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Blue_Heron
