Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

The Great Blue Heron is America's largest heron and native to North and Central America. It looks similar to the Grey Heron of Eurasia, but has a rusty grey neck (instead of white), russet shoulder patches and russet thighs. It also has white upper legs and grey lower legs, looking like it is wearing grey boots. Thanks to Alexandra Makhnina who took these photos in Costa Rica.

The Great White Heron of Florida/Caribbean is a subspecies of the Great Blue (not the same as the Great White Egret).