Great Blue Heron
Ardea herodias
Least Concern
North America's largest heron and a quintessential Florida waterway bird. Statuesque hunter that stands motionless before striking with lightning speed.
Behavior
Patient ambush hunter — will stand perfectly still for long periods. Nests in large rookeries called heronries, often with other wading birds.
⚠️ Safety
Can deliver a powerful stabbing strike with their beak if cornered. Observe from a distance during nesting season.
Fun Facts
- Can swallow fish larger than the diameter of their throat by having expandable esophagus
- Wingspan reaches 6 feet
- The white morph in South Florida was once considered a separate species (Great White Heron)
- They fly with their neck tucked in an S-shape, unlike cranes
Where to See
St. Johns River
riverOne of the few north-flowing rivers in North America. 310 miles of diverse ecosystems from marshes t...
Everglades National Park
coastal1.5 million acres of wetlands — the River of Grass. Home to alligators, manatees, crocodiles, panthe...
Tampa Bay
coastalFlorida's largest open-water estuary. World-class snook and tarpon fishing. Rich history and urban w...
Identify This Species
Use our Species Identifier to learn how to distinguish the Great Blue Heron from similar species.
