Have You Heard About Our Herons?
The Drew Forest provides vital habitat to many water bird species in its two large freshwater ponds, but one of the most recognizable is the heron. Herons are large, majestic wading birds that can be found in various habitats throughout New Jersey, but mainly stick close to bodies of freshwater with areas for wading. Four of the more common and recognizable heron species in the state are the Great Blue Heron, the Great Egret, the Green Heron, and the Tricolored Heron, each of which find perfect hunting ground in the Drew Forest.
Image Source; Bird Advisors
The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron species in North America. These blue-gray giants can grow up to four and a half feet tall, with a wingspan of up to six feet. With their spear-like beaks, Great Blue Herons are known for their patient, motionless stance as they wait for prey to come within striking distance.
Image Source; Bird Advisors
The Great Egret is a bit smaller than its cousin the Great Blue, with pure white plumage that stands out in a dark pond, and that nearly drove them to extinction when haberdashers used to prize their feathers for hats.
Image Source; Bird Advisors
The Green Heron is smaller and squatter, at about half the height of the Great Blue, with a wingspan of around two feet. Green Herons have dark greenish-blue feathers on their back and wings, a reddish-brown neck, and a distinctive greenish-black head. Known for their fishing technique, Green Herons are tool users, employing twigs or other objects to lure fish closer before they strike.
More rare is the Tricolored Heron, which is a medium-sized heron that has a distinctive slate-blue body, white belly, and chestnut-colored neck and head. These herons are very active and can be seen running or jumping while hunting, making them an exciting species to watch.
Image Source; Bird Advisors
All our native heron species play important roles in our ecosystem and help maintain the balance of the food chain but in New Jersey they face numerous threats, with wetland destruction due to urbanization and development being one of the primary drivers to shrinking heron populations in our state.
Saving the Drew Forest preserves vital wetland habitat for a wide range of aquatic birds, especially our important native herons.
