Click images for larger view. Photos: Nathan Crawford, Dave Brenner, Bruce Moorman

Habitat: Ponds, rivers, marshes, wetlands, inland lakes.

• The Great blue heron is one of Michigan’s largest birds. It stands about four feet tall and has a six-foot wingspan.
• This long-legged bird can often be seen standing motionless in the shallows of ponds and wetlands as it searches for food. It has a long neck and a pointed bill used to spear fish and other prey.
• Great blue herons fly with their necks crooked, or folded in an s shape. They nest in colonies, building huge nests made of sticks.