November Critter of the Month

Great Blue Heron
(Ardea herodias)
 

So many Matanzas critters are seasonal--The Golden Silk Spider is most evident in late summer. Manatees are usually seen in May. Sea turtles nest along the beach during the summer months, and White Pelicans sometimes appear in the late fall. But there is at least one critter which is seen all year around.

 

You can visit Fort Matanzas during any season and nearly any time of day, and there is a good chance that you will see a Great Blue Heron somewhere along the river shore.

 

 The Great Blue is one of the largest herons, standing about four feet tall with a five-foot wingspan, as large as that of a bald eagle. It flies with its neck tucked in and its legs spread out behind. The Great Blue Heron is found near fresh and salt water throughout the United States, but the ones in Florida seem to be grayer than those found farther north.

 

In the spring, these herons are beautifully decked-out in their breeding plumage. Their beaks turn bright yellow-orange. A long, black plume stretches back from the head. Rusty-red patches appear on the shoulders, and spiky feathers grow down from the neck.

 

When the babies hatch in April, both male and female birds take turns caring for the young, one sitting on the nest while the other is out fishing. When the fisher returns, they engage in a "changing of the guard" ceremony with much bowing, wing spreading, neck stretching, and bill touching.

 

Watch for Great Blues from the dock behind the Visitor Center. They are often seen standing on the rocks or waiting on the beach, especially if a fisherman is near. Sometimes they stand in an odd posture with the underside of their wings held outward. It is thought they do this to expose parasites to the sun. If you approach too close to them, they will fly away with a raucous crawnk! crawnk! crawnk!

 

Like most other herons and egrets, the Great Blue is a wading waiter. These birds wade into the water, stare into the water standing very, very still, and patiently wait… and wait. . . When a fish comes by, thinking those long legs are just sticks in the water, zzzippp! Out goes the neck, and up comes the fish either caught in or speared by the long, sharp beak.

 

Then the heron has to maneuver the fish around so that it is swallowed head first so that the gills and scales lie flat. If the fish is caught on the beak, this is no easy feat! The heron shakes its head, jerks its neck, and after a few minutes, it has the fish just right. With a flip of its head, the fish is inside the beak…then GONE. If it was a large fish, you can sometimes see the lump in the heron's throat where the fish went down!

 

Remember that all plants and animals in the park are protected by state and federal laws. Please do not try to catch the birds--just observe them from a distance.