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| © istockphoto.com/Clay Greene
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| Fast Facts: Great blue heron
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| Scientific name: |
Ardea herodias |
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| Average weight: |
Just over 2 kg |
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| Average height: |
1 m |
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| Average lifespan: |
About 15 years, though most chicks die before their first birthday |
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Did you know?
More than 1,000 great blue herons nest each year on La Grande Île in Lac Saint-Pierre near Montréal.
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Physiology
The largest heron in North America, the great blue is mostly grayish blue. Some of its
body parts are more colourful: its eyes are yellow, its legs are green and its head is white.
A black stripe marks each side of its head. A few shaggy black plumes stick out from its
back.
The birds’ feathers turn brighter during mating season and dingier in winter. Females
look like males but are smaller.
These herons usually hold their neck in an “S” curve when flying.
Habitats/Behaviours
Water and land are both necessary for this bird. Either salt or fresh water can serve as
its fishing grounds, but the birds need islands or woody swamps nearby so they have a place
to build their nests.
The birds build one-metre-wide nests out of dry sticks, sometimes lining the bottom with
pine needles or moss.
Herons choose a new mate each year. The female lays about three to five eggs, which she
sits on at night. The male sits on them during the day. Once the chicks hatch, the parents
continue to share duties: mom watches the nest at night and dad takes the day shift.
By about eight weeks old, the young birds start to fly. At 10 weeks, they leave the nest – and
their parents – for good.
Then they’re ready to start acting like adult herons. They stand perfectly still
in the water until a tasty morsel passes by. Usually it’s a fish, but sometimes a
heron will eat other water life, or even another bird.
When they see something — wham! The heron lunges with its body and neck. If it nabs
the prey, the bird usually tries to swallow it in one gulp, sometimes choking in the process.
Range
Great blues are Canada’s most widespread heron, from the Maritimes to British
Columbia.
There are probably tens of thousands in the country, although west coast populations may be
at risk due to the area’s growing human population.
Most head south once water begins to freeze. Some fly as far south as Mexico or Cuba. In
parts of B.C. and the Maritimes, some remain all winter.
These birds are also common through most of the United States and Mexico.
Links:
Watch a video: The HeronCam
Video and sound clips
Jigsaw puzzle: Great blue heron
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