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Herons, Bitterns and Egrets of Lake Huron Page 1 |
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Herons, Bitterns and Egrets of Lake Huron Page 1 |
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| This group has fewer than a dozen species, and many of them are very rare to the Huron coastal zone. They are often called the long-legged waders. Their diets are fish and other small animals of the marsh or shore. Many feed at night. | Wetlands, small coves, marina edges, floodings, swamp forests, private ponds, river edges and small lakes are all potential viewing sites. Some are only found in thick vegetation but others can be found along the open shore. |
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The Great Blue Heron is the most common large wader we have. Standing nearly four feet tall, it is the second largest bird of the North. In flight, the neck is folded in a tight S shape. The young (right) are raised in colonies in the tops of tall trees. |  |
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The Sandhill Crane has a grey/brown body with a pronounced red head patch and tufted tail feathers. The bill is about the same size as the head. It is often confused with the Great Blue Heron because they are very similar in size. The Crane, however flies with its neck straight out. Sandhill Cranes are a delight to observe in the wild and their song an amazing series of loud, blaring trumpet-like calls. During migration they often fill a field, drawing birders from hundreds of miles for the show. Usually seen in large wetlands, isolated from the Lake, or in nearby farm fields. |
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| The Great Egret (above) is the only large (to 40 inches), all white bird with a yellow bill and black legs. Immature Little Blue Herons and Snowy Egrets are white but smaller and have black bills. All are more common in the South. | The very rare Cattle Egret (above) is about half the size of the Great Egret. It has a definite reddish crown and stringy top feathers, with a red back stripe. When immature it is all white and can be confused with other small egrets or herons. |
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The American Bittern is a large, brown bird of the deep weeds. The black neck whisker and the black wing tips are good field patterns for ID. Mainly active after dark. Makes an eerie "pumping" song during breeding season. Fairly common bird in our area. |  |
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