(Ardea herodias)
45 - 54 inches

photograph © Walker Golder

Status: No special status in North Carolina.

Identification: This is the largest of North Carolina's wading birds, standing about four feet tall. They are easily identified by size, grayish body, and white head with a dark stripe above the eyes.

Nesting Habitat: In North Carolina, Great Blue Herons nest almost entirely in swamp forests. Their nests are usually in the tops of tall cypress or pine trees.

Breeding Biology: Great Blue Herons typically nest in small colonies and occasionally they will nest singly. Adults begin to gather at colony sites in March. They build large, platform nests of plant stems and twigs, often lined with small twigs or grasses. The female lays three to five pale bluish-green eggs. Incubation requires 28 days and nestlings fledge at about 55-60 days of age. Great Blue Herons occupy North Carolina colony sites from March to mid-August.

Food: Great Blue Herons feed on a wide variety of prey which includes fish, crustaceans, small reptiles and amphibians, insects, small birds and mammals.

State Nesting Population: unknown

Major Threats: Loss of nesting habitat and degradation of wetland foraging areas.

Waterbirds:
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Last Revision 5/21/98