We no longer have resident Great Blue Herons at Kaweah Oaks Preserve. They have not nested in the California Sycamores for many years. We are hoping they will return. You can watch them hunt for small rodents in the Alkali Meadow or in the ditches during the wet season. They often are observed flying overhead.

Description: 
The Great Blue Heron is a wading bird with long legs, neck and bill. The head is largely white with a dark crown stripe, underparts are dark, shoulders, wings and rump are bluish-gray.  The average length is 38" from tip of bill to tip of tail (measured in hand-held, natural position).  The average wing-span is 70".   The alarm call is a series of about four hoarse squawks. 

Behavior: 
When hunting, Great Blue Heron walks slowly through shallows or tall grass or stands with head hunched on shoulders.  They fly with their long necks folded.  They do not flock. 

Migration: 
Great Blue Heron is found year round in the California (except arid and mountainous regions). 

Habitat: 
Fresh and salt water areas.  They feed on aquatic animal life in shallow water, field mice and small rodents.