Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Least Concern
Poised to strike, this large heron stalks along American waterways in search of fish and other small animals. These widespread waterbirds are among the tallest of North America’s birds.
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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Great Blue Heron is a stately wading bird with predominantly blue-gray plumage, long legs, and an S-shaped neck. Its head is white with a black eyebrow stripe extending to a plume, and it has a long, dagger-like yellow bill.

Males and females look alike, although males are typically larger than females. Males also develop elongated plumes on their heads, necks, and backs during the breeding season. Juveniles are duller with a darker crown.

Size

Length

91cm to 137cm

Wingspan

167cm to 201cm

Weight

1.82kg to 2.7kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Blue Grey

Secondary Colour

White Black

Beak Colour

Yellow

Leg Colour

Brown

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Great Blue Heron can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Great Blue Heron can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Great Blue Heron is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Great Blue Herons inhabit various wetland habitats, including marshes, swamps, rivers, and coastal areas across North and Central America. They are found from southern Canada to northern South America, including the Caribbean.

In the United States, they are widespread and can be seen year-round in many areas, with northern populations moving south for winter. They are also present in parts of coastal Alaska during the summer months.

Elevation Range

Sea level to 2,600 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Great Blue Heron. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

  • Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
  • Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
  • This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

  • More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
  • How birds move around during different seasons
© 2024 - Birdfact
Resident
Breeding
Non-breeding
Passage
Vagrant

Distribution by Region

Species that can be found in the area throughout the year
Anguilla Antigua and Barbuda Aruba Barbados Belize Canada Cayman Islands Colombia Cuba Curaçao Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Martinique Mexico Montserrat Nicaragua Panama Puerto Rico Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines The Bahamas Trinidad and Tobago Turks and Caicos Venezuela
Species that are present in the area during their breeding season
Bermuda United States of America
Species that are present in the area outside their breeding season
British Virgin Islands Costa Rica Guadeloupe Jamaica Saint Martin US Virgin Islands
Species that pass through the area during migration
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Species that appear infrequently (rare) and unpredictably outside their normal range
Brazil Cape Verde France Greenland Portugal

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

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Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:
  • Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
  • Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
  • Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
  • Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
  • Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

  • 0-20: Very Low
  • 21-40: Low
  • 41-60: Average
  • 61-80: High
  • 81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.

Agility 85

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

The Great Blue Heron demonstrates remarkable agility in its hunting technique, striking prey with lightning speed. Its ability to navigate through various wetland habitats and execute precise movements whilst hunting showcases its high level of agility.

Strength 70

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

Whilst not exceptionally strong for its size, the Great Blue Heron possesses sufficient strength to spear and lift sizeable fish from the water. Its large size and ability to carry nesting materials also indicate a decent level of strength.

Adaptability 90

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Great Blue Herons exhibit impressive adaptability, thriving in diverse habitats from sea level to 2,600 metres elevation. Their opportunistic feeding habits, ability to hunt both day and night, and capacity to forage in fields for rodents further demonstrate their adaptable nature.

Aggressiveness 60

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

While not overtly aggressive, Great Blue Herons display territorial behaviour during breeding season and will defend their nests. Their solitary nature and ability to stand their ground against potential threats contribute to a moderate aggression rating.

Endurance 75

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

The Great Blue Heron's endurance is evidenced by its ability to stand motionless for extended periods whilst hunting and its capacity for long-distance flight during migration. However, as a large bird, it may not have the sustained endurance of smaller, more active species.

Diet

Great Blue Herons are opportunistic feeders, primarily consuming fish, but also amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and invertebrates. They hunt by standing still or wading slowly, then striking with their sharp bills to spear or grab prey. These adaptable birds may also forage in fields for rodents.

Behaviour

Great Blue Herons are often seen standing motionless in shallow water, waiting to strike at prey with lightning speed. They are generally solitary foragers but may gather in loose colonies for breeding. These birds fly with slow wingbeats, their necks folded in an S-shape and their legs trailing behind.

Vocalisation

The Great Blue Heron's primary call is a loud, harsh squawk, often heard when the bird is startled or in flight. During courtship and at breeding colonies, they produce a variety of guttural sounds and bill claps. A typical call might be described as a raspy 'frahnk' or 'gawwk'.

Nesting & Breeding

Great Blue Herons typically breed in colonies, often with other wading bird species. Pair formation begins in early spring, with elaborate courtship displays involving neck stretching and bill clapping.

Nests are large platforms of sticks, usually built high in trees near water. Females lay 2-6 pale blue eggs, which both parents incubate for about 28 days.

Chicks are altricial and fledge at about 60 days old, though they may return to the nest for several weeks after for feeding.

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Least Concern [1]

While the Great Blue Heron is currently listed as Least Concern, it faces threats from habitat loss and degradation of wetlands. Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland habitats, as well as reducing pollution in aquatic ecosystems where these birds feed and breed.

Population Data

Global Population Estimate

500,000 - 4,999,999 mature individuals [2]

Global Population Trend

[3]

Trend data may be uncertain or fluctuating

Birdwatching Tips

  • Look for them in wetlands, along shorelines, and in shallow waters
  • Observe early morning or late afternoon when they're most active
  • Listen for their distinctive harsh squawk
  • In flight, note their large size and S-curved neck
  • Check for nesting colonies in tall trees near water bodies

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Great Blue, Blue Crane, Blue Heron

Family:

Ardeidae

Average Lifespan

15 to 20 years

Predators

Adult Great Blue Herons have few natural predators, but eggs and nestlings may fall prey to raccoons, eagles, and large owls.

Did You Know?

  1. Great Blue Herons can hunt day and night thanks to a high percentage of rod-type photoreceptors in their eyes.
  2. They have specialized neck vertebrae that allow them to strike prey at high speeds.
  3. Despite their large size, their hollow bones make them surprisingly light, weighing only 5-6 pounds.

References

  1. 1

    website: BirdLife International. 2020. Ardea herodias. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2020: e.T181500967A181565357.

    View source
  2. 2 3

    report, 2019: Partners in Flight

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