The Herons of the Wildlife Reserve
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Sexual dimorphism
- Males: Plumage with slightly brighter reflections, especially during the breeding season.
- Females: More discreet plumage, promoting camouflage during nesting.
Size and wingspan
- Size: Approximately 33 to 39 cm.
- Wingspan: Approximately 50 to 60 cm.
- Weight: Lightweight, facilitating fast and agile flights.
Beak and legs
- Beak: Short, robust and slightly rounded, adapted to capturing small aquatic prey.
- Legs: Short and webbed, ideal for moving on wet banks and hunting in shallow water.
Social behavior
- Often solitary when hunting, but may congregate in areas rich in food.
Voice
- Rare vocalizations, usually brief calls during courtship interactions.
Breeding Habitat
- Ponds, small lakes and marshes with calm waters, with dense vegetation for nesting.
Migration Habitat
- Uses inland water bodies and temporary wetlands to ensure a constant supply of prey.
Wintering habitat
- Agility in flight and camouflage ability thanks to discreet plumage and precise movements.
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
SEXUAL DIMORPHISM
-
Size and mass differences : In the great blue heron, the male is generally slightly larger and heavier than the female, although these differences remain moderate compared to other bird species.
SIZE AND WINGSPAN
- Size: Between 100 and 125 cm in height.
- Wingspan: From 180 to 200 cm, ensuring excellent maneuverability in flight.
- Weight: Between 0.7 and 1.6 kg, males can be slightly larger.
Beak and legs
- Beak: Long, thin and pointed, ideal for capturing fish and other aquatic prey.
- Legs: Very long and webbed, adapted for progressing in shallow water.
Social behavior
- Generally solitary when hunting, but groups together at nesting sites for added security.
Voice
- Rather silent, it sometimes emits short, piercing cries when disturbed or during the mating season.
Breeding Habitat
- Large lakes and deep ponds with dense vegetation along the banks, which provide ideal nesting sites.
Migration Habitat
- Exploits various inland bodies of water (reservoirs, rivers) for feeding and resting.
Wintering habitat
- Migrates to areas where the water remains unfrozen, sometimes along coastlines with mixed fresh and brackish water.
Adaptations
- Its long legs and large wingspan allow it to perform sustained flights and hunt effectively in aquatic environments.
The birds of Lake St. Pierre
Les
hérons
La Bécasse d’amérique
Le Pluvier bronzé
La Grande aigrette
La sarcelle d’hiver
La Sterne caspienne
Le Balbuzard pêcheur
Le Bihoreau
gris
Le canard colvert
Le Carouge à
épaulette
Le Goéland à bec cerclé
Le Goéland
argenté
Le Martin-pêcheur d’Amérique
Le Plongeon
huard
Le Pygargue à tête blanche
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