Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large wading bird: "Ardea herodius" is the scientific name for the great blue heron, a large North American heron characterized by its bluish-grey plumage, long legs, and neck.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • We spotted an Ardea herodius standing motionless in the shallow water, waiting to catch a fish.
  • The Ardea herodius is a common sight in wetlands across the continent.

Advanced Usage

• In binomial nomenclature: The term "Ardea herodius" is used in scientific and ornithological contexts to precisely identify the species, distinguishing it from other herons like the grey heron ().
  • The study focused on the migratory patterns of Ardea herodius.

Variants and Related Words

• Great blue heron (n): The common English name for .
  • The great blue heron is often mistaken for a crane.
• Heron (n): The general family of long-legged freshwater and coastal birds to which belongs.
  • Several species of heron inhabit the marsh.

Synonyms

• Great blue heron: The primary common name synonym.
• Blue heron: A less formal, shortened common name.

Related Phrases

• Wading bird: A descriptive phrase for birds like that feed in shallow water.
  • The estuary is an important habitat for wading birds, including the Ardea herodius.

Noun

1. large American heron having bluish-grey plumage