great blue heron

noun

1. a large American heron, Ardea herodias, having bluish-gray plumage.

Word History and Origins

Origin of great blue heron¹

An Americanism dating back to 1825–35

Example Sentences

All the way up the creek I had been hearing the throaty ghouw-bhouw of a great blue heron off in the swamp.

From Project Gutenberg

And now it happened that the great blue heron came more frequently to visit the Perdu.

From Project Gutenberg

High up, as if almost touching the calm sky, a great blue heron was toiling heavily westward.

From Project Gutenberg

Only a belated and startled great blue heron flapped lazily away to the west.

From Project Gutenberg

In the narrows we started a great blue heron and one or two smaller bitterns.

From Project Gutenberg