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What is a Great Blue Heron?

Carol Kindle
Carol Kindle

The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large water bird that is known for wading into shallow waters in search of food. This grayish-blue heron is the largest of the heron species and is found in North American fresh and salt water habitats. Rivers, lakes, and swamps from Canada to South America serve as home for these herons. They can also be found along Atlantic and Pacific coastal ocean waters.

Plentiful around the water, these herons are hard to miss. They stand up to four feet (122 cm) tall and they have long, spindly legs. Their oval-shaped bodies are covered in wispy gray feathers. As large as they appear, their body weight is only five to eight pounds (2.2 to 3.6 kg). They have long, s-shaped necks with thin, yellow, spear-like beaks.

The great blue heron is a large waterbird that can be found along fresh and saltwater waterways across North America.
The great blue heron is a large waterbird that can be found along fresh and saltwater waterways across North America.

These long beaks serve the great blue heron well as it hunts for food. Walking very slowly by lifting one leg in front of the other, the heron positions itself at the edge of the water. Because it has such long legs, it is able to wade several feet into the water. Once in position, the heron leans forward to get a view of the fish beneath the surface.

The great blue heron, which can grow up to four feet in height, wades into shoreline waters to feed.
The great blue heron, which can grow up to four feet in height, wades into shoreline waters to feed.

It stands motionless waiting for a fish to approach and then it strikes very quickly to catch its prey. Once the fish is in its beak, the heron will flip it into a head-first position and swallow it whole. In addition to fish, the heron living close to shore may feed on frogs, crabs, shrimp, or even ducklings. On land the heron may hunt for mice, lizards, rats, and insects.

Proximity to their food source usually determines where the male and female great blue heron will make their nest for the season. Made up of sticks and twigs, the nests are usually in very tall trees high above any predators. Males and females are monogamous for the season and often return to the same nest from the previous season. The female can lay up to six eggs each season and these eggs will hatch in about 28 days. Both parents will take turns watching over the eggs and feeding the chicks.

For birdwatchers who wish to observe the great blue heron, it is wise to creep up slowly and remain very still. If the heron is disturbed or angered, it will make a low deep squawking noise. It may then take flight and look for another feeding area. The heron has quite a large wingspan that can range up to six feet (183 cm). Its size and wingspan make the great blue heron spectacular to watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Great Blue Heron?

The Great Blue Heron is a large wading bird native to North America, known for its striking blue-gray plumage, long legs, and S-shaped neck. It inhabits both freshwater and saltwater environments, where it hunts for fish and other aquatic prey. With a wingspan of up to 6 feet, it's the largest heron in North America.

Where can you typically find Great Blue Herons?

Great Blue Herons are adaptable birds found across a wide range of habitats, including marshes, riverbanks, lakes, and coastal shorelines. They are prevalent throughout North America, from Alaska and Canada down through the United States to the Caribbean and parts of Central and South America during migration.

What do Great Blue Herons eat?

Great Blue Herons have a diverse diet, primarily feeding on fish, which they catch with a swift thrust of their long, sharp bill. They also consume amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, insects, and occasionally other birds. Their hunting strategy involves standing still or walking slowly to ambush prey.

How do Great Blue Herons reproduce?

Great Blue Herons breed in colonies known as heronries, which can contain hundreds of nests. They build large stick nests in trees or shrubs near water bodies. Females typically lay 3 to 6 eggs, and both parents share incubation duties for around 28 days. The chicks fledge in about 60 days.

Are Great Blue Herons endangered?

Great Blue Herons are not currently endangered and are listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN Red List. Their populations are stable thanks to their adaptability and the wide range of habitats they can live in. However, they are still affected by habitat destruction and pollution.

How do Great Blue Herons interact with their environment?

Great Blue Herons play a crucial role in their ecosystems as apex predators in their aquatic habitats. They help control fish and insect populations, and their nesting habits can influence the structure of local vegetation. Their presence can also be an indicator of environmental health and water quality.

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    • The great blue heron is a large waterbird that can be found along fresh and saltwater waterways across North America.
      The great blue heron is a large waterbird that can be found along fresh and saltwater waterways across North America.
    • The great blue heron, which can grow up to four feet in height, wades into shoreline waters to feed.
      The great blue heron, which can grow up to four feet in height, wades into shoreline waters to feed.