Heron Family

1. Heron Family family Ardeidae order Ciconiiformes

2. Motionless near log or bank Reeds American Bittern Close to shore Reeds Shallow at night Wade in deeper water Shallow at night

3. Shy • Strong fliers • S-shape • Migratory

4. Adaptations • Legs • Toes • Bill • Neck • Powder down areas of feathers • Serrated middle claw

5. Predators/Carnivores

6. nesting • Defend territory • Colonies – rookeries • Solitray • Mixed colonies – herons • Stick nest – trees – herons & egrets • Grass nest – ground – bitterns • Incubation 2 ½-4 week depending upon species • Some incubate when 1st egg is laid • Altricial - remaining in nest 2 -3 weeks

7. Feeding Young • Regurgitate • Partly digested food • Whole fish, frogs, snakes • Trigger

8. Prey • Foxes • Minks • Hawks • Raccoons • Crows and tree-climbing snakes may rob • unguarded nests.

9. Males • Aggressive – fight • Harsh calls • Elaborate & instinctive motions • Bright colors

10. Visitors to PA • Little Blue • Cattle egret • Snowy egret

11. Great Blue Heron Ardeaherodias 38” long and 70” wingspan Largest of dark herons

14. EGGS Incubation by both sexes -28 days 3-6 3 weeks Mom & dad feed chicks

15. Habitat • Saltwater or freshwater • Remote • Near trees • Loss • Propagation areas

16. Butoridesstriatus Green-Backed Heron Small – 14” long & wingspread 25”

17. Habitat

18. Nesting • Shrubs • Trees • Orchards • Twigs & sticks • Flimsy • Male selects & starts • Female finishes • Pair • Loose colony • Not as friendly as blue

19. Casmerodiusalbus Great Egret 32” long & 55” wingspread, 2’ tall

20. Conservation Laws

21. Diet Fish Small mammals Amphibians Insects

22. Habitat Habitat Colonies 10-50 trees Beech & red maple w/other heron species • Swamps • Lakes • Ponds • Susquehanna river shallows • Islands and mudflats

23. Nesting Nest lined with leaves, moss, grass 3-4

24. Black-Crowned Night Heron Nycticoraxnycticorax

25. food Carnivore

26. habitat • Fresh, salt and brackish waters, • Forests • Thickets • even city parks!

27. Nesting 3-5 eggs Incubation 24-26 days Both sexes build nest 2-5 days

28. Yellow-crowned night heron

29. Black vs. Yellow • Longer legs • Higher pitched call • Yellow patch head • Black & white head

30. Diet • Frogs • Fish • Lizards • Salamanders • Insects

31. Nesting 3-5 eggs Incubation 24-26 days Bothsexes build nest 2-5 days

32. American Bittern Botauruslentiginosus

33. American Bittern

34. Nesting Solitary nesters Ground platform of cattails, reeds, or grasses 3 – 7 eggs

35. Least Bittern Ixobrychusexilis

36. Hiding

37. FOOD

38. 4 -5 eggs NESTING