Great Blue Heron

Fun Fact!  

The great blue heron stands over a meter high and is one of the largest bird in Canada. The heron is as tall as an 5 year-old child, but it only weighs 5 to 6 pounds thanks to its long and hollow bones!  

Special Traits  

The great blue heron’s wingspan, long feet, blue-grey feathers, and neck bent into an ‘’S’’ shape during flying make it easily recognizable. This bird also use its neck and beak as a spear to catch fish. 

Life in the Marsh  

The great blue heron searches for food mainly in freshwater environments and along the seashore, but it will nest in wooded swampy environments or on islands to be protected from predators. The nests can reach 1 meter in diameter and look like platforms of dry branches. There is an old great blue heron’s nest in the marsh. Can you identify it? 

Protection and Threats  

The great blue herons are threatened due to habitat loss of the wetlands. Disturbance can lead to loss of food supplies and nesting for the herons. They are often seen at fisheries as pests but instead of eating the fresh fish, they will eat mostly the diseased dying fish swimming close to the surface.