Herons and egrets (Ardeidae)

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias. Fish, frogs and small mammals stalked in shallow water.

Herons and egrets (Ardeidae)Great Blue HeronArdea herodias

Scientific name: Ardea herodias
Length: 38.2–53.9 in
Weight: 74.1–88.2 oz
Nest: Stick platform high in trees, usually in colonies
Entrance hole: Does not use nest boxes
Clutch: 2–7 eggs
Incubation: 25–30 days
Broods: 1 per season

Identification

Huge blue-grey wader with a dagger bill
Black eyebrow stripe ending in plumes
Flies with neck folded in an S

Voice

A harsh, croaking 'frahnk'.

Diet and feeding

Fish, frogs and small mammals stalked in shallow water.

What do great blue herons eat? · Best feeder for great blue herons

Great Blue Herons by state and province

Region	Status	Nesting
Alabama	Year-round resident	January–June
Alberta	Summer breeder	March–June
Arizona	Year-round resident	January–June
Arkansas	Year-round resident	February–June
British Columbia	Year-round resident	March–June
California	Year-round resident	January–June
Colorado	Year-round resident	February–June
Connecticut	Year-round resident	February–June
Delaware	Year-round resident	February–June
Florida	Year-round resident	January–June
Georgia	Year-round resident	January–June
Idaho	Year-round resident	February–June
Illinois	Year-round resident	February–June
Indiana	Year-round resident	February–June
Iowa	Year-round resident	February–June
Kansas	Year-round resident	February–June
Kentucky	Year-round resident	February–June
Louisiana	Year-round resident	January–June
Maine	Year-round resident	March–June
Manitoba	Summer breeder	March–June
Maryland	Year-round resident	February–June
Massachusetts	Year-round resident	February–June
Michigan	Year-round resident	February–June
Minnesota	Year-round resident	March–June
Mississippi	Year-round resident	January–June
Missouri	Year-round resident	February–June
Montana	Year-round resident	March–June
Nebraska	Year-round resident	February–June
Nevada	Year-round resident	February–June
New Brunswick	Year-round resident	March–June
New Hampshire	Year-round resident	March–June
New Jersey	Year-round resident	February–June
New Mexico	Year-round resident	February–June
New York	Year-round resident	February–June
Newfoundland and Labrador	Summer breeder	March–June
North Carolina	Year-round resident	February–June
North Dakota	Year-round resident	March–June
Northwest Territories	Summer breeder	March–June
Nova Scotia	Year-round resident	March–June
Ohio	Year-round resident	February–June
Oklahoma	Year-round resident	February–June
Ontario	Year-round resident	March–June
Oregon	Year-round resident	February–June
Pennsylvania	Year-round resident	February–June
Prince Edward Island	Summer breeder	March–June
Quebec	Year-round resident	March–June
Rhode Island	Year-round resident	February–June
Saskatchewan	Summer breeder	March–June
South Carolina	Year-round resident	January–June
South Dakota	Year-round resident	February–June
Tennessee	Year-round resident	February–June
Texas	Year-round resident	January–June
Utah	Year-round resident	February–June
Vermont	Year-round resident	March–June
Virginia	Year-round resident	February–June
Washington	Year-round resident	February–June
West Virginia	Year-round resident	February–June
Wisconsin	Year-round resident	March–June
Wyoming	Year-round resident	March–June
Yukon	Summer breeder	March–June

Frequently asked

What do great blue herons eat?

Fish, frogs and small mammals stalked in shallow water. At feeders: none — visits ponds with fish.

How big is a Great Blue Heron?

38.2–53.9 in long and 74.1–88.2 oz.

Do great blue herons use birdhouses?

No. Stick platform high in trees, usually in colonies.

Sources

Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.