FIELD GUIDE
The Great Blue Heron
Everything you ever wanted to know about Ardea herodias —
compiled from Cornell Lab, Audubon, Birds of the World, and other public sources.
01
Overview
Meet Ardea herodias — the essentials at a glance.
02
Identification
Size, shape, plumage, and how to be sure it's a great blue.
03
Look-alikes
Heron vs. egret vs. sandhill crane — telling them apart.
04
Taxonomy & Subspecies
The great white heron and other regional forms.
05
Habitat
Where herons live, from tidal flats to dry fields.
06
Range & Distribution
Across North and Central America and beyond.
07
Migration
Who moves, who stays, and why.
08
Diet & Hunting
The statue, the strike, and everything on the menu.
09
Behavior
Territory, solitude, and the night shift.
10
Breeding & Rookeries
Courtship, colonies, and nest building.
11
Eggs & Chicks
From pale-blue eggs to first flight.
12
Sounds & Calls
The famous frawnk and other heron noises.
13
Lifespan & Predators
How long they live and what threatens them.
14
Adaptations
Powder down, the pectinate claw, night vision.
15
Conservation Status
Population, trend, and protection.
16
Threats
Eagles, disturbance, habitat loss, contaminants.
17
Herons & People
The plume trade, fish ponds, and the law.
18
Culture & Symbolism
The heron in story, art, and city seals.
19
Watching Guide
How to find and watch herons without disturbing them.
20
FAQ & Fun Facts
Quick answers and things that surprise people.
21
Resources
Sources and where to learn more.