The heron's long neck is folded during flight. The great blue heron is a sociable species and during the breeding season, herons join with other herons to form colonies,or rookeries, in woodlands that are near their main feeding area, but relatively inaccessible to humans or land predators. Here,they build huge nests made of large sticks. The nests are located high in the branches of deciduous trees. Herons often return to the same locality each year, and the same nest may be used year after year.
Herons are very sensitive to any type of disturbance while they are nesting.
It is suggested that there be no development near the edge of a heron colony and no disturbance in or near colonies from March to August. The great blue heron may live as long as 17 years, since adult birds have few natural enemies. However they are threatened by draining of marshes and destruction of other favorite haunts. The photograph of the Great Blue Heron is from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Web Site. It is located on the page titled The Magnificent Great Blue Heron which also contains much information about the natural history of this bird.