Grand héron bleu              Green : the Borealie

Ardea herodias                  Red : nesting grounds

Order: Ciconiiformes          Purple : range throughout the year 

Family: Ardeidae                Blue : wintering grounds      

Diet: Carnivorous , feeding principally on small fish (piscivorous ), it also takes amphibians, crustaceans, leeches, garter snakes, small rodents, large insects, and molluscs.

Reproduction: Sexually mature at 2 years. Mating and egg laying occurs between April and May. The 3-5 eggs are incubated by both the male and the female for 25-29 days. The young fledge after 60 days.

Longevity: Up to 20 years in the wild and in captivity.

Predators: Eggs and/or young may be taken by common ravens, American crows, gulls, certain birds of prey, raccoons and black bears.

Status: Not at risk.. However, the state Pacific Coast population is of  some  concern.