Great Blue Heron
A long-legged ambush hunter that can look prehistoric at close range and surprisingly compact when folded in flight.
Artwork inspired by Martin Johnson Heade
Great blue herons stand motionless or walk almost imperceptibly through shallow water before striking fish, frogs, snakes, and other prey with the long bill. They also forage in fields, where rodents can become important food.
In flight the neck folds into an S, separating herons from cranes, which fly with necks extended. Despite their solitary feeding style, herons often nest communally in treetop colonies called rookeries or heronries.
- Flight neck
- Folded
- Nest
- Colonial treetop platform
- Hunt
- Patient ambush
Quick guide
- First decision
- Long dagger bill
- Context check
- Gray-blue body; context: Colonial treetop platform
Field decisions for Great Blue Heron
- Establish the whole form
- Begin with Long dagger bill.
- Separate the nearest alternative
- Confirm Gray-blue body before settling on the identification.
- Add ecological context
- Colonial treetop platform; year-round in mild areas.
- Leave the evidence intact
- Do not reposition, collect, bait, pursue, or clear vegetation around Great Blue Heron.
Good to know
The strongest Great Blue Heron record preserves the distinction between “Long dagger bill” and “Gray-blue body” while also showing the surrounding habitat.
Notice these
- Long dagger bill
- Gray-blue body
- Black head stripe
- Trailing legs