The Great Blue Heron probably never shared the landscape with Tyrannosaurus rex or any other dinosaur. The Mesozoic Era, or age of the dinosaurs, ended about 66 million years ago. While some birds lived alongside dinosaurs, no existing bird species has a lineage that old. Although its genus Ardea dates back 14 million years, the oldest fossils of the Great Blue Heron are from the Pleistocene Epoch, about 1.8 million years ago. So, this bird's “prehistoric” appearance — with its long, thick bill; curvaceous and powerful neck; and long legs — is just a reflection of successful adaptations that have served the species well over the past 1.8 million years. Now if they could only learn to pick a better spot to land in when they're getting their picture taken!
~ Great Blue Heron, American Bird Conservancy


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