Great Blue Heron

(Ardea herodias), mounted skeleton

This skeleton was prepared and mounted by Oswego-based science educator Sy Lloyd in 2007. Mr. Lloyd spent his retirement years traveling to area schools, using his skeleton collection to teach students about birds. He donated 10 mounted bird skeletons to the State Museum in 2018.  

NYSM ZO-19339

(Ardea herodias), adult female

This specimen was mounted in 1900 by the taxidermist Fred Barker, and was sold to the New York State Museum for the 1912 opening of the new Zoology Hall in the Education Department Building on Washington Avenue. Since the Museum moved to its current home, this specimen has become part of the ornithology research collection.

NYSM ZO-19580

Fun Fact

Some people wonder why the knees of long-legged wading birds bend in the opposite direction from our own knees. A close look at this heron skeleton reveals that the knee joint, which bends just like our knees, is actually tucked up close to the body. It is the ankle joint which bends forward like a human ankle.

Guiding Questions:

  • Why do you think the Great Blue Heron have such long necks and legs?
  • Do any other birds have long necks and legs? 

Meet the NYS Museum ornithologist and see the exhibition on birds:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctuKfhPvTIc

Find some fun facts about NYS birds:
www.nysm.nysed.gov/exhibitions/ongoing/bird-hall

See the biology collection storage:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFms-9hy5KY

 

Windows on New York