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

Some common species span from the dark-eyed junco to the red-winged blackbird to the great blue heron, while fortunate visitors might catch a glimpse of a bald eagle soaring high above the river in search of fish. —Jared Ranahan, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2025

Already the pond created by the dam has attracted great blue herons and several different types of ducks and serves as a pathway for raccoons and coyotes to cross the stream. —Carl R. Gold, Baltimore Sun, 19 Feb. 2025

Our guide, Mark Vincent from Door County Adventure Center, dropped dad jokes in between sightings of great blue herons, bald eagles, and wrens in the sedge grass. —Jacqueline Kehoe, Travel + Leisure, 23 Jan. 2025

Nearby, a great blue heron stood motionless in shallow water. —Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1835, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for great blue heron

• lactoferrin
• acheron
• operon
• percheron
• polaron
• burin
• charon
• herren
• karen
• marron
• perron
• terran

Kids Definition

great blue heron

noun

: a large grayish blue American heron with a crest of dark feathers on its head