***Federal - MBTA***

    Great Blue Herons are the most common of the group in New York State.  They can be found almost anyplace there is water.  A large bird, Great Blues have up to a six foot wingspan.  They are most frequently seen on small lakes, wetlands, and slow moving rivers where they wade searching for prey.  Their preferred prey is fish, but they also eat frogs, small mammals, reptiles, basically any aquatic animal they can fit in their mouth.  They are our most common nesting heron, Green Heron being second.  Great Blues nest in large rookeries, these rookeries may hold several dozen nests and can be seen from a great distance.  They are sensitive to disturbance at the nesting colony.  A colloquial name for these Herons is "Crane", but they can be distinguished from true cranes by the way they hold their neck in flight.  Herons hold their neck in an "S" shape, while Cranes hold their neck straight out.