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Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias ORDER: CICONIIFORMES FAMILY: ARDEIDAE

IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

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Great Blue Heron Photo

© Marie Read

The largest and most widespread heron in North America, the Great Blue Heron can be found along the ocean shore or the edge of a small inland pond. An all white form is found from southern Florida into the Caribbean, and used to be considered a separate species, the "Great White Heron."

Inside Birding
For complete information on this species, visit The Birds of North America Online.

Appearance

Herons
Herons
Typical Voice

Adult Description

  • Large, gray bird.
  • Long legs
  • Long, "S"-shaped neck.
  • Long, thick bill.
  • White crown stripe.
  • Black plume extending from behind eye to off the back of the neck.
  • Shaggy feathers on neck and back.
  • Bluish gray back, wings, and belly.
  • Reddish or gray neck.
  • White morph all white with pale legs, yellow bill.

Immature Description

Juvenile similar to adult, but has gray crown, a dark upper bill, rusty brown edging to back feathers, and lacks body plumes.

Range Map Help

Great Blue Heron Range Map
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Similar Species

  • Sandhill Crane is larger, has a prominent tuft of bushy feathers on its rump, a shorter bill, and a red cap, and is found in fields rather than ponds.
  • Little Blue Heron is much smaller and more slender, lacks plumes on the head, is entirely uniform dark blue-gray, has a dark bill with a bluish base, and greenish legs.
  • Tricolored Heron is more slender, has white head plumes, and a white belly contrasting sharply with the dark chest.
  • Great Egret differs from white morph by being more slender, lacking head plumes, and having black legs.