Photo 1: A Great Blue Heron foraging for food.

 Great Blue Heron: Ardea herodias

The Great Blue Heron is a common sight along the coastline of North Vancouver Island, especially at dusk or dawn. The Great Blue Heron has a black plume at the top of its head and a shaggy neck. When it flies (photo) it pulls its neck close to its body.

On Vancouver Island, the Great Blue Heron seems to prefer the marine shoreline where there is a ready supply of food year round. With its long legs, it wades out into the water and spears fish or other animals with its long beak.

 Other Vancouver Island Birds: Bald Eagle, Trumpeter Swan, Blue Grouse, Common Merganser, American Wigeon, Long-tailed Duck, Surf Scoter, Mallard, Bufflehead, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Varied Thrush