Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
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The largest wading bird to be found here in Austin is the Great Blue Heron. They frequent Town Lake and sometimes fly into the HPG. These herons sometimes learn to fish in small ornamental ponds, where it is easy to catch the goldfish, but they tend to also be rather wary and will not often land when people are too close. Hence, the birds are more likely to be seen perched up in trees, as in the photo above. The great blue heron is large enough to handle fish a foot or more in length. They would not hesitate to hunt the gar that live in the largest Garden pond.
The photo below is included for those interested in seeing the entire bird, which can stand almost four feet tall. It was taken on a beach in Florida, where the herons often scavenge bait and catch from fishermen.
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class: Aves / order: Ciconiiformes / family: Ardeidae / genus: Ardea / species: herodias
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