blue crane

noun

1. the great blue heron.

Word History and Origins

Origin of blue crane¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

Once a berth becomes available, longshoremen operating massive blue cranes lift the metal containers and position them to head inland via truck or train.

From Washington Post

Proceeds benefit blue crane conservation efforts of the International Crane Foundation and the Endangered Wildlife Trust.

From Washington Post

GREAT VALUEThis delightful red wine is bright in flavor and light in body, almost airborne like the blue crane — South Africa’s endangered national bird — it is named for.

From Washington Post

Another has a blue crane, belonging to the order Grus cinerea, standing erect on its stilts, showing fight.

From Project Gutenberg

It is described as resembling a blue crane, and may possibly have been the Floridus cerulea, or little blue heron.

From Project Gutenberg

We ate some lunch, and I took out my gun and went for a stroll; I shot a large blue crane, and saw some ducks.

From Project Gutenberg

Among the game-birds may be included the blue crane, which flies in bands of from ten to twenty, high in the air.

From Project Gutenberg

He wore a headdress of monkey skins, above which waved a tuft of plumes from the tail of the blue crane.

From Project Gutenberg