The following text was automatically extracted from the image on this page using optical character recognition software:
GREAT BLUE HERON Ardea herodias TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE The great blue heron is gray and blue-gray with a white head, yellow bill, a white throat with black stripes, some brown on its thighs, and dark legs. During parts of the year it is entirely white with a yellow bill and yellow legs! Then it looks a lot like its cousin, the egret. The great blue heron can swallow a fish many times wider than its narrow neck. Herons look for food any time there is enough light. Studies suggest that cloudy weather is ideal for the birds to look for fish. Adult herons stand around 3 feet tall, but can stretch to about 4 feet; their wingspan is about 6 feet. These large birds weigh only about 5 to 6 pounds. Although a beautiful bird, the heron makes an awful "krarrrk" sound. Try it!