Great Blue Heron

This is a majestic primary flight feather from a Great Blue Heron, a large wading bird with a wingspan of up to 6 feet. The bird itself is slate-gray with a long S-shaped neck, shaggy breast plumes, and a dagger-like yellow bill. In flight, they are slow and deliberate, holding their necks tucked in.

Uniform slate-gray or 'blue-gray' coloration throughout the vanes. The rachis is pale, transitioning from a translucent tan at the base to a darker gray toward the tip. Minimal banding suggests an adult specimen.

Tightly interlocked pennaceous barbs throughout most of the vane for flight efficiency; plumulaceous (fluffy) barbs present at the very base near the calamus.

Smooth, somewhat stiff, and matte surface. The feather has a characteristic 'powder down' feel, which herons use to clean fish slime and oils from their plumage.

Large size, uniform slate-gray color without barring, noticeably asymmetrical vanes, and a thick, pale rachis.

Fresh and saltwater wetlands, inclusive of marshes, swamps, lake shores, tide flats, and rivers.

Year-round resident throughout most of North and Central America, ranging from southern Canada to the West Indies and Galapagos.

Apex predator in wetland ecosystems, controlling populations of fish, amphibians, and small mammals. Highly sensitive to water quality and habitat loss.

Sandhill Crane feathers (more brownish-gray, different tip shape), Great Egret (pure white), and various large gulls (often have black/white tips).

Great Blue Herons have specialized 'powder down' feathers on their chest that they crush with their middle toes into a powder to help clean off fish slime and oils.

Good condition; minor splitting (zippering) visible on the trailing edge. No significant sun bleaching or fault bars, suggests a healthy adult.