Wading Birds

Wading Birds. . , Wading birds with long legs, necks and bills feed on aquatic animal life along the shore and marsh at low tide. Some stand still as a statue, others probe the mud with their bill or feet. These birds are common on Tangier., Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest heron in North America. It is commonly seen blending in at the edges of the marsh with a slate blue back, whitish head and dark underparts. The adult has a black stripe above the eye, black plumes when breeding and a yellow bill. In flight the neck is folded in. The legs hang down on take off and trail behind in flight., Length 46"; Wingspan 72", Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is about half the size of the Great Blue Heron. The back and head are dark slate blue, with a brownish maroon or purple neck. The bill is gray with a black tip. The immature bird is completely white., Length 24"; Wingspan 40", Tricolor Heron (Egretta tricolor) has slate gray-blue upper parts of the head, neck and body with white underparts. The neck ranges from pale khaki to dark chestnut or maroon. The bill and neck are long and slender. The bill is yellow or orange with a black tip. The tricolor is an active hunter, dashing through the shallows with its wings slightly raised., Length 26"; Wingspan 36", Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is dark glossy blackish brown with an iridescent green and purple head and underparts. Its long downcurved bill and long legs are dark gray. It flies with neck outstretched, often in groups., Length 23"; Wingspan 36", Great (White) Egret (Ardea alba) is entirely white with a long thick yellow bill and black legs and feet. When breeding, straight plumes on the back extend beyond the tail. In fligth, it is similar to the great blue heron, but with a more open curve in the neck., Length 39"; Wingspan 51", Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is entirely white with a slender black bill. Its black legs end in yellow feet., Length 24"; Wingspan 41"