THE LIFE CYCLE OF A GREAT BLUE HERON

EGGS

• By mid-March the female has generally laid her entire clutch of eggs.
• Usually three or four but sometimes as many as five eggs are in it

HATCHED

• They stand still patiently for a long time in shallow water waiting for there prey.
• They stab it with their extremely sharp beak.

BABY CHICKS

• At roughly four weeks the chicks are left alone in the nest.
• Both parents can concentrate on gathering food for the rapidly growing chicks

YOUNG CHICK 1

• At approximately seven weeks their plumage becomes more complete.
• They start flapping their wings vigorously and begin hopping from branch to branc

YOUNG CHICK 2

• At eight weeks the chicks are usally ready to take their first flight.
• It flys with a six foot wingspan.
• It holds its head against its body.

ADULT

• At ten to twelve weeks the chicks and their parents depart and go their separate ways.
• It eats fish, frogs, salamanders, lizards, snakes, birds, and small mammals.
• A great blue heron is 132 cm.

THE END