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July 31, 2021  |  By Ben Ivers

Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron Live

GREAT BLUE HERON - IUCN Conservation Status: LEAST CONCERN

Great blue herons nest in trees!

To me great blue herons are one of the most elegant birds. From my observations, they can sit absolutely still for hours while they hunt in the shallow water for fish. I enjoy looking at any wildlife that I go past while kayaking. Herons and other birds are common guests when I go out for morning trips on the water. The lake that is closest to my house is Eagle Creek Reservoir, which houses a bird sanctuary on the north end of the lake. This bird sanctuary draws in all sorts of birds throughout the year. Matt and I once saw a group of white pelicans that were taking a rest while migrating through Indiana.

Eagle Creek Ice

Where are great blue herons found?

The great blue heron is one of the larger wading birds. It is commonly found throughout North America, Central America, the Caribbean, and the Galapagos Islands. Occasionally this bird can be found in some parts of Europe, such as the Azores Islands of Portugal.

These birds are most commonly found along freshwater or saltwater, such as lakes, rivers, streams, marshes, and the coast of the ocean. They can occasionally be seen in grasslands. Look for them wading in the water or roosting in a tree (as they do nest in trees).

What do they look like?

Great blue herons get their name from the blue plumage that they typically exhibit. As adults they have a black stripe going over the middle of their white heads. Surprisingly an all-white subspecies of the bird exists in coastal Florida! They grow to be about 4.5' in length, so they are quite a tall bird. It is the largest of the heron birds in North America. They have long lanky legs, and can often be found standing on one leg.

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What do great blue herons eat?

The diet of the great blue heron is primarily fish. They are opportunistic with other food that is in their vicinity. In Idaho, a population of these birds was found to eat voles. In fact voles made up 20-40% of their diet!

They catch their prey by wading nearly motionless in the water. When they decide to strike, special vertebrae allow them to launch their neck and head forward to catch their prey in their long beaks. Their beaks average 5.5 inches long!

They grow to be 4.5 feet long!

Other fun facts

  • The scientific name is Ardea herodias.
  • There are five subspecies of great blue heron.
  • They breed in colonies called heronries.
  • The young birds are fed by both their parents via regurgitation.
  • They typically lay 3-5 eggs.
  • Their nests are sometimes more than 100 feet up in a tree!
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bird heron indiana kayaking lake

Article by Ben Ivers

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Matt Hamas and Ben Ivers here. We are focused on fostering a greater understanding and appreciation of the environment. We endeavor to bring you a unique perspective of the wild. Our photos are being placed here for you to enjoy. Please feel free to download any of the photos for your personal use. We are currently seeking partners for printing and developing photos.

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