Great Blue Heron

(Ardea herodias)

Conservation Status
Great Blue Heron
Photo by Ramona Abrego
  IUCN Red List

LC - Least Concern

 
  NatureServe

N5B, N5N - Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding

SNRB - Unranked Breeding

 
  Minnesota

not listed

 
           
           
           
           
           
 
Description
 
 

Great Blue Heron is the largest heron native to North America. They are present in Minnesota from March through October and winter along the ice-free coasts and watercourses of southeastern United States and the Caribbean. Most live about 15 years in the wild, though some have been recorded surviving over 24 years.

Adults are 38 to 54 long, weigh 74 to 88 ounces, and have a wingspan of about 7. Males are slightly larger than females.

The wings and back are bluish-gray except for a black shoulder patch. The legs are long, stilt-like, and dark gray except for chestnut brown feathers on the thighs. The chest and belly are whitish. The neck is long and curving. It is grayish-blue on the back, whitish underneath, and with white, black, and rust-brown.

The eyes are yellow. The bill is long, straight, and yellow. The face is white with a black stripe extending from the bill to the back of the head. During Breeding season both males and females develop long, slender, black plumes extending from the back of the head and long plumes extending from the body at the neck, breast, and back.

In flight, the neck is folded over the body in an S-curve and the legs trail behind the body.

 
     
 

Size

 
 

38 to 54in length

72 wingspan

 
     
 

Voice

 
   
 

A harsh, croaking kraak when disturbed

 
     
 

Similar Species

 
 

Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is much smaller and darker. The legs are black.

Tricolored Heron (Egretta tricolor) is darker above, white below.

 
     
 
Habitat
 
 

Rivers, lake edges, marshes, saltwater shores, and swamps

 
     
 
Biology
 
 

Migration

 
 

March to October

 
     
 

Nesting

 
 

Great Blue Herons typically breed in colonies of a few to a few hundred nesting pairs. They are serially monogamous, remaining with one partner throughout the Breeding season but choosing a new partner each season. They produce one brood per season.

The male selects a site, usually at the top of a tree, often the same site used the previous year, and attracts a passing female. Together they build the nest, the male gathering materials, the female weaving the materials into a platform nest. Often a fresh layer is added to a nest from a previous season.

The female lays usually 4, but as few as 2 or as many as 7, pale blue eggs. The eggs hatch after 26 to 30 days. The young leave the nest after 60 to 81 days.

 
     
 

Food

 
 

Mostly small fish but also amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, dragonflies, grasshoppers, crayfish, and other aquatic invertebrates.

 
     
 
Distribution
 
 

Occurrence

 
 

Common migrant and breeder

 
         
 

Maps

 
 

The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map

 
         
 
Taxonomy
 
  Class Aves (birds)  
 

Order

Pelecaniformes (pelicans, herons, ibises, and allies)  
 

Family

Ardeidae (bitterns, egrets, herons)  
 

Subfamily

Ardeinae (typical herons and egrets)  
 

Genus

Ardea (great herons)  
       
 

Bitterns, egrets, and herons (family Ardeidae) were formerly classified under the order Ciconiiformes. Based on a phylogenomic study published in 2008, the family was transferred to the order Pelecaniformes.

 
       
 

Subordinate Taxa

 
 

Galapagos Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias cognata)

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias herodias)

Great White Heron (Ardea herodias occidentalis)

Northwest Coast Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias fannini)

Ward’s Heron (Ardea herodias wardi)

 
       
 

Synonyms

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
Visitor Photos
 
           
 

Share your photo of this bird.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption.
 
 

Karen Weidner

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  
 

Amy Hansen

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  
           
    Great Blue Heron      
 

Glenn Mischke

 
    Great Blue Heron      
 

John Haehn

 
    Great Blue Heron      
 

Ramona Abrego

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  
 

Lynn Rubey

 
  A Great Blue Heron flew into the marsh between Pool 7 and the West pool. Landing among the reeds and yellow pond lilies near the edges of the marsh in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.   Great Blue Heron  
           
 

A Great Blue Heron in flight in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

 
    Great Blue Heron      
 

Agingyooper

 
    Great Blue Heron      
 

Wayne Rasmussen

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  
           
    Great Blue Heron      
           
 

Urban parks host a large variety of wildlife if you really spend some time observing.

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  
           
    Great Blue Heron      
           
  Pentax K10D DA 55-300mm @ 300mm, 1/4000th, f7.1, ISO 800 handheld- a little patience and luck in Maplewood Hts Park, my backyard. ~2008, Our resident heron   Great Blue Heron  
           
 

Heron & painted turtle in Maplewood Hts Park

 
    Great Blue Heron      
 

Kirk Nelson

 
 

Crosby Farm Regional Park

 
    Great Blue Heron      
           
 

Fort Snelling State Park, Near the boat launch on Snelling Lake

 
    Great Blue Heron      
 

Tom Baker

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos
 
 

Unknown subspecies on wintering grounds at Padre Island, Texas

 
    Great Blue Heron   Great Blue Heron  

 

Camera

     
 
Slideshows
 

Great Blue Heron
Andy Reago & Chrissy McClarren

  Great Blue Heron  

Great Blue Heron
Ed McVicker

  Great Blue Heron  

Great Blue Heron
JMC Nature Photos

  Great Blue Heron  

 

slideshow

       
 
Visitor Videos
 
       
 

Share your video of this bird.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link.
 
 

Amy Hansen

 
  Great Blue Heron 01
Published on May 9, 2022
 
   
 
About

Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

Lake Fremont, Zimmerman MN

5/8/2022

Video by Amy Hansen

   
       
 
Other Videos
 
  Great Blue Heron (Ardeidae: Ardea herodias) Hunting from Shore
Carl Barrentine
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on May 19, 2010

A stealthy Great Blue Heron takes advantage of the tall grass bordering the water's edge, as well as the position of the late afternoon sun, to stalk and catch an unwary small fish. Photographed at Maple Lake, Minnesota (18 may 2010).

 
  Great Blue Heron Near Fish (Ardea herodias)
animals2x2
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Oct 21, 2011

Watch the Heron and learn how to recognize its unique characteristics. This video captures behaviors and identifies the size, shape and distinctive markings of the Heron. The Heron can be found in the wild and at a number of zoos around the world. Our Heron video is an ideal study guide for students, kids and children who want to learn more about wild animals. Watch the Heron's movement as it carefully walks amongst fish. The high definition quality allows a clear observation of the Heron's color, habits and features. A child friendly learning tool and visual aid, perfect for schools and teachers to use in conjunction with other teaching methods. Watch and enjoy the Heron clip!

 
  Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) Fishing at Stanley Park in Vancouver BC 15Apr2010
graywulffe
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Apr 15, 2010

This Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) found a good fishing hole in Lost Lagoon at Stanley Park, Vancouver, BC. Herons are excellent anglers. They have keen vision and can spot even the tiniest of fish at a fair distance. The bird in the movie caught several piscenes at this one location.

Videometrics:
Canon Rebel T1i (500D)
Canon EF 300mm 1:4 L IS USM
-1/3 EV, 1080p, 20 fps
Monopod, manual focus, program mode

 
  Great Blue Heron (Ardeidae: Ardea herodias) Taking Flight
Carl Barrentine
 
   
 
About

Uploaded on Sep 7, 2009

Photographed at Grand Forks, North Dakota (06 September 2009).

 

 

Camcorder

 
 
Visitor Sightings
 
           
 

Report a sighting of this bird.

 
  This button not working for you?
Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com.
Be sure to include a location.
 
  Karen Weidner
March 2023

Location: Minneapolis Minnesota Rookery

Great Blue Heron

 
  Amy Hansen
5/8/2022

Location: Lake Fremont, Zimmerman MN

Great Blue Heron

 
  John Haehn
6/1/2021

Location: Spirit Lake, Menahga MN

Great Blue Heron

 
  MNlakeknitter
5/15/2020

Location: Turtle Lake #31072500 in Marcell, MN

Walked along our ice ridge (shoreline & marsh area) and in the lake on the west side of the lake, picking up sticks and setting them back down, hunting, catching & eating small fish.

  Ldurbs
10/4/2019

Location: Bear Cave school, Stewartville, MN

  Lynn Rubey
6/24/2018

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Great Blue Heron flew into the marsh between Pool 7 and the West pool. Landing among the reeds and yellow pond lilies near the edges of the marsh in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

Great Blue Heron

 
  Lynn Rubey
10/29/2018

Location: Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

A Great Blue Heron in flight in The Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge.

Great Blue Heron

 
  Dug
8/4/2018

Location: Big Lake, MN

Saw a great blue heron, first time, in my back yard in a tree over the pond in Big Lake, MN.

  Ramona Abrego
7/17/2018

Location: Becker County

Great Blue Heron

 
  Agingyooper
6/15/2018

Location: North Stillwater MN

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/23/2018

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Great Blue Heron

 
  Phil Rehm
10/22/2017

Location: Lake Susan in Chanhassen

  Kirk Nelson
6/30/2017

Location: Crosby Farm Regional Park

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/16/2011

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
6/28/2016

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Urban parks host a large variety of wildlife if you really spend some time observing.

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/18/2011

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
4/23/2003

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
about 2008

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Pentax K10D DA 55-300mm @ 300mm

1/4000th, f7.1, ISO 800 handheld- a little patience and luck in Maplewood Hts Park, my backyard. ~2008

Our resident heron

Great Blue Heron

 
  Wayne Rasmussen
5/31/2015

Location: Maplewood Heights Park

Heron & painted turtle in Maplewood Hts Park

Great Blue Heron

 
  Marilyn May
Summer 2015

Location: Pond along Cannon Valley Trail

  Kirk Nelson
9/27/2015

Location: Fort Snelling State Park

Near the boat launch on Snelling Lake

Great Blue Heron

 
  Tom Baker
4/2/2011

Location: Edenbrook Conservation Area

Great Blue Heron

 
           
 
MinnesotaSeasons.com Sightings
 
 

Baker Park Reserve

Big Stone National Wildlife Refuge

Boot Lake SNA

Bur Oak WMA

Cannon River Trout Lily SNA

Carver Park Reserve

Chamberlain Woods SNA

Chimney Rock SNA

Clinton Falls Dwarf Trout Lily SNA

Cottonwood River Prairie SNA

Crosstown West Park

Des Moines River SNA

Edward Velishek Memorial WMA

Elm Creek Park Reserve

Flandrau State Park

Fort Snelling State Park

Frontenac State Park

Glendalough State Park

Glynn Prairie SNA

Greenleaf Lake SRA

Grey Cloud Dunes SNA

Hastings Sand Coulee SNA

Hastings SNA

Interstate State Park

Jensen Memorial WMA

Joy Park

Kasota Prairie

Kilen Woods State Park

Lake Alexander Woods SNA, South Unit

Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Lake Louise State Park

Lake Maria State Park

Lake Rebecca Park

Lake Rebecca Park Reserve

Lebanon Hills Regional Park

Maplewood State Park

Minnesota Valley NWR, Long Meadow Lake Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Louisville Swamp Unit

Minnesota Valley NWR, Rapids Lake Unit

Minnesota Valley State Recreation Area, Lawrence Unit

Monson Lake State Park

Mound Spring Prairie SNA, North Unit

Murphy-Hanrehan Park Reserve

Myre-Big Island State Park

North Fork Zumbro Woods SNA

Phelps Lake WMA

Pin Oak Prairie SNA

Plover Prairie, East Unit

Rice Lake State Park

Rieck’s Lake Park and Campground (Alma, Wisconsin)

River Terrace Prairie SNA

Robert Ney Memorial Park Reserve

Rockville County Park

Sakatah Lake State Park

Sand Prairie Wildlife Management and Environmental Education Area

Savage Fen SNA

Savanna Portage State Park

Sedan Brook SNA

Seminary Fen SNA

Seven Sisters Prairie

Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge

Spring Lake Regional Park

Springbrook Nature Center

Thompson County Park

Townsend Woods SNA

Whitetail Woods Regional Park

William O’Brien State Park

Wolsfeld Woods SNA

Woodland Trails Park

 

 

 

Binoculars


Created 10/5/2012

Last Updated:

About Us | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | © MinnesotaSeasons.com. All rights reserved.