Great Blue Heron

Photo of great blue heron
Scientific Name
Ardea herodias
Family
Ardeidae (herons) in the order Pelecaniformes
Description

Great blue herons have a very large, slate-blue body, long legs, long, pointy bill and a slender, long neck. The head is white with a black, plumed eye line. The thighs are reddish or rusty and the lower legs dark. The bill is yellowish, and the pale breast feathers are long and plumelike. The voice is a low, harsh “gwock,” often heard in flight.

Size

Length: 46 inches (tip of bill to tip of tail).

Where To Find
image of Great Blue Heron Distribution Map

Statewide, near bodies of water.

Great blue herons are found in aquatic environments where they can wade and forage for prey. Water-quality issues affect them, as they are an important part of wetlands and open-water ecosystems.

Herons forage in shallow pools, edges of lakes and similar areas for aquatic prey including frogs, small fish and many other animals that can be swallowed.

Uncommon summer resident in nesting colonies statewide; common during migration and when young individuals are dispersing from breeding colonies. Uncommon winter resident where water is unfrozen.

Herons gather in large nesting colonies near water and food. A colony can contain hundreds of bulky stick nests. Each pair of great blue herons typically lays 3–6 eggs, which are incubated for nearly a month. The chicks hatch one at a time, with the first to hatch growing more quickly than the others. It is important to stay far back from breeding colonies, since the birds and their chicks can suffer fatal accidents in their haste to escape.

These magnificent wading birds are enjoyed by bird watchers and others who witness their careful foraging and broad wing strokes as they take flight near water.

As top predators, great blue herons check the populations of many aquatic and wetland animals.

Their eggs and chicks are frequently preyed upon by other predators, though not many animals hunt the adults.

Media Gallery
Photo of great blue heron
Great blue herons are often seen standing in shallow water, stalking fish and frogs.
Anonymous
Photo by MDC Staff, courtesy Missouri Department of Conservation
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Video of a great blue heron in the wild.
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Great Blue Heron
Great Blue Heron at Busch Wildlife Conservation Area
Submitted by Wendy Oloteo
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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A great blue heron in flight. Its mouth is open as it calls.
A great blue heron vocalizes during flight just before landing at Busch Wildlife CA
Submitted by William McConkey
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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Great Blue Heron standing on a log on a bank near Warsaw, MO at Lake of the Ozarks.
Submitted by Jamie McClanahan
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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Great blue heron standing on a log. The long neck feathers and red coloration on legs are prominent.
Lake of the Ozarks, Warsaw, MO
Submitted by Jamie McClanahan
Use of this image is restricted to MDC only
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Photo of great blue heron
Great Blue Heron
A great blue heron in flight. Its mouth is open as it calls.
Great Blue Heron standing on a log on a bank near Warsaw, MO at Lake of the Ozarks.
Great blue heron standing on a log. The long neck feathers and red coloration on legs are prominent.
Similar Species

Where to See Species

Nishnabotna CA
Nishnabotna Conservation Area
The United States Army Corps of Engineers has purchased this area as part of the Missouri River Mitigation Project.
Stone-rimmed pool at hatchery
Chesapeake Fish Hatchery
Chesapeake Fish Hatchery is one of four warm water fish hatcheries ran by the Missouri Department of Conservation.
Bennett Spring Hatchery
Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery
In 1924 and 1925, the Missouri State Park system purchased 573 acres of land, including Bennett Spring and the hatchery. This area formed the nucleus of today's Bennett Spring State Park.
Tri-City Community Lake
Tri-City Community Lake
Tri-City Community Lake (27 acres) is located on a mostly forested 100 acre tract. Facilities/features: boat ramp, improved camping, picnic areas.
About Birds in Missouri

About 350 species of birds are likely to be seen in Missouri, though nearly 400 have been recorded within our borders. Most people know a bird when they see one — it has feathers, wings, and a bill. Birds are warm-blooded, and most species can fly. Many migrate hundreds or thousands of miles. Birds lay hard-shelled eggs (often in a nest), and the parents care for the young. Many communicate with songs and calls.

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