Blue Heron

One of the most interesting animals found along streams and creeks is the great blue heron. Although the blue heron does not live in the water, it is seen hunting for food there. The heron has a very broad diet. It eats anything it can fit in its mouth. Its diet consists of fish, frogs, turtles, snakes, and any mammal it can catch. Blue herons have amazing eyesight which is used to help snatch fish out of the water. It uses its sharp beak to stab fish and reptiles. They eat their prey whole, and have occasionally been seen choking on food that is too large for its throat. Blue herons generally grow from 3-5 feet tall making them one of the biggest birds in Pennsylvania. Blue herons only have predators when they are young. Crows, hawks, and other birds of prey eat young blue herons. Once they reach adulthood, these predators do not play a role in the deaths of blue herons. Great blue herons are also endangered, so humans are not allowed to kill them.

Great Blue Heron
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Great Blue Heron eating a snake
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