Though not a backyard bird for many, I believe the Great Blue Heron is still very well known to those of us who enjoy birds. They are found through virtually all of the U.S. and Mexico plus much of Canada. I think they are a quite handsome.
At almost 4 foot tall they definitely stand out with it’s long plumes, long dagger-like bill and long legs. Amazingly, due to their hollow bones, these very large birds weigh only 5-6 pounds! Though they have a blueish tinge to their plumage, they are often mistaken for ‘gray cranes.’ During most winters many of these water-dependent birds head for south to warmer climes but with this year’s mile winter it looks like more stayed in northern areas.
Though they primarily eat fish, they will eat most anything that they can catch including insects, frogs and voles. Best known for their patient hunting technique during which they stand motionless for extended periods of time, they are lightening fast in thrusting their bill to nail their prey with great accuracy.
Great Blue Herons are colony nesters–they nest, usually near the top of trees, with other Great Blue Herons, cormorants and egrets. Though they look rather awkward high up in a tall tree, they do an amazing job of building and maintaining nests.
The males assist nest building by bringing nesting material and providing ‘moral support’ as they stand in the nest watching the female weave the vegetation into a nest that can hold both adults and several offspring through strong winds, rain, hail and sometimes snow (this pair of herons nest not far from where I live in Colorado and both strong winds and snow is in the forecaste for us tomorrow).
Cornell Lab of Ornithology has Great Blue Herons nesting right outside one of their buildings and they have set up a web cam with live streaming you can see them up close and personal during the nesting process. The female has already laid 2 eggs but she may lay more.
Do you have Great Blue Herons in an area near where you live?
Have you seen Great Blue Herons nesting before?
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
We do! Our home is in Longmont, Colorado, not far from Union Reservoir. Usually we see several by now. Although the immigration has been in most respects early this year, they have yet to turn up. Maybe they’re still enjoying the great weather near my brother’s home in San Antonio, the other place I see them.
Hello Patricia–I’m down in Canon City which is somewhat warmer than your area. I have read of a few Great Blue Herons on nests in northern areas of Colorado so hopefully the ones you get will be there soon. Union Reservoir is certainly a birding hotspot in your area.
If you look at the comment below by Peter, I contacted him on fb and he confirmed that there are Great Blue Herons nesting at Standley Lake which is not that far from Union Res so you should see them there soon.
I’ve not seen them nesting but have seen them many times in flight or standing in a local stream. They are stunning to see, and so graceful in flight.
From southwest Ohio
Linda-they are distinctive when they fly, with their neck in a an ‘S’ curve and very graceful flight.
I have noticed that the great blue heron colony near my home has not built any new nests in a couple of years. There were various heavy snow falls and ice storms that took out many of the nests in the tree they use, but the birds have not rebuilt any of the nests. I can see many of them sitting in the tree with only 2 nests left. Why don’t they build more nests??
I live in central Massachusetts…
Thanks SeEtta for the great article on the Great Blue Heron. I live in Centennial, Colorado and love the GBH. There is a Heron Rookery at Standley Lake and the nest building is a highlight. Thanks again. Peter Pereira
Hi Peter, are the Great Blue Herons at Standley Lake involved yet in nest building?
great blue herons inspired me to learn about it i believe that they are the most amazing birds i have ever seen in my life.
Misty-I am happy to hear that Great Blue Herons inspired you to learn more. They are amazing birds
{ 1 trackback }