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Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Least Concern

Quick Facts

Kingdom: Animalia
Abundance: Common
Habitat: Wetland, Coastal
Activity: Diurnal (Active during day)
Lifespan: 15 years on average

A large, gray bird that is frequently found wading at the edge of ponds, rivers, or marshes using its keen senses to detect prey. This common bird stands about 4 ft. tall, has a wingspan of about 7 ft., and is frequently mistaken for a crane. Unlike a crane, which flies with its neck outstretched like a goose, the Great Blue Heron flies with its neck folded back in an S-shape against its shoulders.

Diet

Primarily fish

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)
Kingdom: Animalia
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Phylum: Chordata
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Class: Aves
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Order: Pelecaniformes
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Family: Ardeidae
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Genus: Ardea
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Species: Ardea herodias

Scientific Name

Ardea herodias
Breeding Season
March-May in northern parts of their range and November-April in southern parts of their range.
Migration Pattern
Northern populations must move south to the Southern United States, Central or South America
Lifespan
15 years on average

Behavior

Great blue herons are mainly active in the mornings and at dusk when fishing is best. They are stalk-and-strike hunters that visually locate prey and thus hunt during daylight. They are solitary predators however, they do often breed in rookeries and during the night they will sleep with flocks of over 100 other herons. Great blue herons are also extremely territorial and will aggressively defend their nests. This species is mostly migratory, but populations of the southern United States may remain in one region year-round.

Activity Pattern

Diurnal (Active during day)

Habitat Types

Wetland
Coastal

Geographic Distribution

During the spring and summer, they breed throughout North and Central America, the Caribbean, southern Canada and the Galapagos. Some populations migrate to Central and South America during the winter months, but do not breed there.

Local Abundance

Common

Conservation Status

Least Concern

This species is widespread and abundant. No immediate threat to survival.

How You Can Help

  • Report sightings to contribute to population monitoring
  • Support habitat conservation efforts
  • Follow guidelines when observing wildlife

Additional Notes

Great Blue Herons in the northeastern U.S. and southern Canada have benefited from the recovery of beaver populations, which have created a patchwork of swamps and meadows well-suited to foraging and nesting.

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