Common Name:
Great blue heron
Scientific Name:
Ardea herodias
Unique Qualities
Due to few natural enemies, Great blue herons can live up to 17 years. However, they are threatened by human activities such as the draining of marshes and destruction of their natural habitats. It is one of the largest herons in the world and adults reach about one metre in height with a wingspan of nearly two metres.
Can be Seen:
The great blue heron can be found in many places across North America such as coastal Alaska, south-central Canada, and Nova Scotia south to Mexico. They can also be found in the West Indies and the Galapagos Islands.
Likes to Hang Out:
Herons like to live in areas near water, often the same areas that humans choose to build their towns and cities in. They are easiest to spot where they get their food, at river and lake edges, marshes, estuaries and many other wetland habitats. Herons generally build their nests in colonies (groups of nests) in large areas of forest a few km's away from their main food source. Other bird species will nest in the same trees as the heron, but the heron gets the highest branches! It looks pretty funny to see such a big bird up high in the tree tops.
A special white form of the Great Blue heron fishing.(QuickTime 127k)
Likes to Eat:
Herons mainly eat fish but they also eat shellfish, insects, snakes, voles, frogs and occasionally rats. The heron feeds alone in shallow water. It stands very still, waiting for its prey to come within striking distance. Once the prey is close the heron's long neck extends very quickly and the heron clamps the prey in between its beak. Sometimes the heron will use its beak to stab the prey and it can even catch two fish at the same time!
Status:
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) has designated the great blue heron as a species to be given "special concern." Threats include disturbances by humans, including noise and habitat loss.
