great blue heron
noun
: a large slaty-blue American heron (Ardea herodias) that has a dark crown, showy plumes on the head and neck, is about 46 inches (117 centimeters) long, and includes a white morph see great white heron
Examples of great blue heron in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Hundreds of millions of the little, silvery fish play a crucial role in the ecology of coastal waters all along the Eastern Seaboard, feeding bigger fish like striped bass and weakfish; marine mammals including whales and dolphins; and birds like bald eagles, great blue herons and brown pelicans.
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Jon Hurdle, New York Times, 11 July 2023
During a stroll along the central pond, guests can marvel at great blue herons, cormorants, and the peculiar-looking Florida softshell turtle, while the sparkling waters just past the park are a haven for sea ducks, saltwater fish, and, of course, Florida’s native manatees.
—Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023
The highlight of the hike is a 17-acre beaver pond where great blue herons nest in the spring.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 28 June 2023
In Illinois, put in for a quiet 10-mile stretch of the Galena River to see bald eagles and great blue herons as well as a historic railroad bridge and what’s left of the Galena Lock and Dam, built in 1890.
—Ellen Wulfhorst, USA TODAY, 29 May 2023
From Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary's six miles of nature trails through woods and marshes, birders can spot bald eagles, great blue herons, and hummingbirds.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2023
On the leisurely float, keep your eyes peeled for great blue herons, swallows and wood ducks.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 May 2023
Another of the rare pictures that specifies a location is a dramatically silhouetted painting of the Potomac River near Key Bridge, where black rocks and blue water conceal a great blue heron.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2023
Surface water and beach sands in the channel were not found to contain elevated levels of chemicals, and an ecological assessment indicated no unacceptable risk for aquatic mammals or birds like harbor seals or the great blue heron.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2022
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Jon Hurdle, New York Times, 11 July 2023
During a stroll along the central pond, guests can marvel at great blue herons, cormorants, and the peculiar-looking Florida softshell turtle, while the sparkling waters just past the park are a haven for sea ducks, saltwater fish, and, of course, Florida’s native manatees.
—Jared Ranahan, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2023
The highlight of the hike is a 17-acre beaver pond where great blue herons nest in the spring.
—Alan Taylor, The Atlantic, 28 June 2023
In Illinois, put in for a quiet 10-mile stretch of the Galena River to see bald eagles and great blue herons as well as a historic railroad bridge and what’s left of the Galena Lock and Dam, built in 1890.
—Ellen Wulfhorst, USA TODAY, 29 May 2023
From Buttercup Farm Audubon Sanctuary's six miles of nature trails through woods and marshes, birders can spot bald eagles, great blue herons, and hummingbirds.
—Anne Olivia Bauso, Travel + Leisure, 28 May 2023
On the leisurely float, keep your eyes peeled for great blue herons, swallows and wood ducks.
—Laura Kiniry, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 May 2023
Another of the rare pictures that specifies a location is a dramatically silhouetted painting of the Potomac River near Key Bridge, where black rocks and blue water conceal a great blue heron.
—Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 13 Jan. 2023
Surface water and beach sands in the channel were not found to contain elevated levels of chemicals, and an ecological assessment indicated no unacceptable risk for aquatic mammals or birds like harbor seals or the great blue heron.
—David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Sep. 2022
See More
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Word History
First Known Use
1835, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near great blue heron
Cite this Entry
“Great blue heron.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/great%20blue%20heron. Accessed 10 Dec. 2023.
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Kids Definition
great blue heron
noun
: a large grayish blue American heron with a crest of dark feathers on its head
More from Merriam-Webster on great blue heron
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about great blue heron
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