The Great Blue Heron is one of the largest members of the heron and egret family. It is found throughout North and Central America. It is reconizible by its bluish-grey coloration, long neck, and long legs. It is found in marshes, lakes, ponds, and rivers. It is a large bird, having a wingspan of 6 feet.
Like all herons and egrets, it eats fish and other small aquatic animals. It waits paitentially along the water's edge, waiding into the water with its long legs. When it spots prey, it strikes with its long and dagger like beak. Contrary to popular belief, herons don't spear prey, as it would be too difficult to remove. Instead they grab prey in its beak and swallows it whole.
Herons are usually silent but they do make a gutteral croak when at the nest and when taking flight.
The reason this heron is standing with his beak open is that he is panting. When they are hot, birds pant to try to cool themselves. They don't stick their tounges out like how dogs do, they just open their beaks.