South Carolina herons are tall, graceful birds that live near water. They have long necks and legs, and they eat fish. These birds are often seen standing still, waiting to catch their food. They are a beautiful part of nature in this state.
11 South Carolina Herons To Explore:
1. Great Blue Heron:
The Great Blue Heron is a tall bird with a long neck and legs. It is mostly gray with a white face and a yellow beak.
You can often see it standing in water, waiting to catch fish. It lives in South Carolina and many other places in North America.
This bird likes to live near water, like ponds, lakes, and rivers. When it flies, its neck folds into an “S” shape. People love to watch this bird because of its beauty and grace.
- Length: 38.2-53.9 in (97-137 cm)
- Weight: 4.6 to 7.9 pounds (2100-3600 g)
- Wingspan: 5.5 to 6.6 feet (167-201 cm)
Call:-
2.American Bittern:
The American Bittern is a secretive bird that hides in wetlands. It has a brown body with stripes, which helps it blend in with tall grasses. This bird is a master of disguise! In South Carolina, you might hear its unique call that sounds like a water pump.
It eats fish, frogs, and insects. When it feels threatened, it stands tall and still, hoping not to be seen. It’s a special bird that many people might not know about.
- Length: 23.6-33.5 in (60-85 cm)
- Weight: 13.1-17.6 oz (370-500 g)
- Wingspan: 36.2 in (92 cm)
Call:-
3.Black-crowned Night-Heron:
This bird has a cool name, doesn’t it? The Black-crowned Night-Heron is shorter than some other herons. It has a black cap on its head and a white body. Its eyes are red, which makes it look unique. As the name suggests, this bird likes to hunt at night.
During the day, it rests in trees or bushes. In South Carolina, you can find it near water bodies. It eats fish, frogs, and even small birds. It’s a fascinating bird to learn about!
- Length: 22.8-28 in (58-71 cm)
- Weight: 1.5-2.2 lbs (727-1014 g)
- Wingspan: 45.3-46.5 in (115-118 cm)
Call:-
4.Green Heron
The Green Heron is a small bird that lives near water in South Carolina. It has a dark green back and a chestnut-colored neck.
This bird is smart! It sometimes uses small things like insects or bread to lure fish closer.
Then, it quickly catches the fish with its sharp beak. You can often see the Green Heron standing still at the edge of a pond or stream, waiting for a fish to come near.
- Length: 16.1-18.1 in (41-46 cm)
- Weight: 8.5 oz (240 g)
- Wingspan: 25.2-26.8 in (64-68 cm)
Call:-
5.Great Egret
The Great Egret is a tall, white bird with long legs and a long neck. It lives in wet places like marshes and ponds in South Carolina.
This bird looks graceful when it flies with its big wings. It eats fish, frogs, and other small animals. When it hunts, it stands very still in the water and then quickly grabs its food with its beak.
- Length: 37.0-40.9 in (94-104 cm)
- Weight: 35.3 oz (1000 g)
- Wingspan: 51.6-57.1 in (131-145 cm)
Call:-
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6.Cattle Egret
The Cattle Egret is a white bird that is often seen in fields with cows in South Carolina. It’s different from other herons because it likes to be around large animals. These birds eat insects that are disturbed by the movement of cattle.
So, they often follow cows around to catch their food. They have a yellow beak and yellow legs, and they look very pretty when they fly in groups.
- Length: 18.1-22.1 in (46-56 cm)
- Weight: 9.5-18.1 oz (270-512 g)
- Wingspan: 34.6-37.8 in (88-96 cm)
Call:-
7.Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret is a beautiful white bird with delicate, wispy feathers on its head and back. It has black legs and bright yellow feet that look like they’ve been dipped in paint! In South Carolina, you can see it wading in shallow waters, hunting for fish and shrimp.
When it spots its prey, it dances around with its yellow feet to scare the fish and then quickly catches it.
- Length: 22.1-26.0 in (56-66 cm)
- Weight: 13.1 oz (370 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4 in (100 cm)
Call:-
8. Least Bittern:
The Least Bittern is a tiny and shy bird. It has a mix of brown and white feathers and likes to hide in tall grasses near water. In South Carolina, it’s a bit hard to spot because it’s so good at blending in! But if you’re patient, you might see it stretching its neck to catch small fish and insects.
- Length: 11.0-14.2 in (28-36 cm)
- Weight: 1.5-4 oz (46-102 g)
- Wingspan: 16.1-18.1 in (41-46 cm)
Call:-
9.Yellow-crowned Night-Heron :
This bird has a cool name because it’s most active during the evening and night. It has a gray body, a black head, and a white stripe on its cheek. The top of its head has bright yellow feathers, which is why it’s called “Yellow-crowned.”
In South Carolina, it likes to eat crabs and crayfish. If you’re out at dusk, you might see it hunting near the water’s edge.
- Length: 21.6-27.6 in (55-70 cm)
- Weight: 22.9-28.2 oz (650-800 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4-44 in (100-112 cm)
Call:-
10. Little Blue Heron :
The Little Blue Heron is a special bird because it changes color as it grows. When it’s young, it’s all white. But as it gets older, its feathers turn a lovely shade of blue. In South Carolina, you can see it walking slowly in shallow waters, looking for fish and frogs to eat. Its beak is sharp and pointy, perfect for catching its meals.
- Length: 22.1-29.1 in (56-74 cm)
- Weight: 10.4-14.5 oz (296-412 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4-41.3 in (100-105 cm)
Call:-
11.Tricolored Heron :
The Tricolored Heron is a colorful bird with three main colors: blue-gray, white, and rusty-red. It’s a medium-sized bird that loves to wade in the waters of South Carolina.
It has a long neck and legs, which it uses to hunt for small fish. When it flies, its white belly and dark wings make a beautiful contrast against the sky.
- Length: 23.6-27.6 in (60-70 cm)
- Weight: 14.6 oz (415 g)
- Wingspan: 37.4 in (95 cm)
Call:-
FAQs:
Are there herons in South Carolina?
Yes, South Carolina is home to herons. They can be seen near water areas.
Are there great blue herons in South Carolina?
Yes, great blue herons live in South Carolina. They are big and blue-gray.
Do egrets live in South Carolina?
Yes, egrets also live in South Carolina. They are white birds often seen with herons.
Are blue herons protected in South Carolina?
Yes, blue herons are protected birds in South Carolina. It’s important to be kind to them and not harm them.
Conclusion:
South Carolina is a place where herons, including the great blue heron, and egrets live. These birds are special and protected, so we should always respect them.
