Great Blue Heron

The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a vulnerable, blue-listed species (at risk) whose population is declining in British Columbia. These birds are extremely sensitive to human disturbances.

Map

Biodiversity Interactive Map - Great Blue Heron

Range

Locally distributed throughout the Columbia Basin north to about Golden and Revelstoke.

Habitat

Nests occur commonly in riparian trees along the margins of lakes, slow-moving rivers, wetlands and sloughs. Some nests occur in upland forests.

Forages by wading in shallow waters of rivers, lakes, wetlands and also in agricultural fields.

Reproduction

• Nests in large stick nests singly or in small to large breeding colonies
• 3-7 eggs are incubated by both parents for 25-29 days. Both parents tend young, which leave nest in 60-90 days.
• Bald eagles attack nesting herons and predate their young. Disturbance is a common cause of nest failure and abandonment.

Listing and Date

Threats to Species

• Human disturbance
• Environmental contaminants and pollutants
• Harassment and predation from bald eagles
• Loss of habitat

Select Reports

• Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle Inventory and Stewardship in the Columbia Basin (2006-2007)
• Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle Inventory and Stewardship in the Columbia Basin (2005-2006)

Full Report Listing (most recent on top)

• Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle Inventory and Stewardship in the Columbia Basin (2006-2007)
• Great Blue Heron and Bald Eagle Inventory and Stewardship in the Columbia Basin (2005-2006)
• Great Blue Heron Breeding Inventory and Stewardship in the Columbia Basin
• Great Blue Heron Breeding Inventory And Habitat Assessment In The Columbia Basin
• Breeding Inventory and Habitat Assessment of the Great Blue Herons in the Columbia River Basin

For more information on this species, visit: The BC Species and Ecosystem Explorer and enter “heron” in the Species Name field.