The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in North America, standing nearly four feet tall with a six-foot wingspan. It hunts by wading slowly and stabbing fish, frogs, and even small mammals with its dagger-like bill. Despite its bulk, it flies with deep, slow wingbeats and its neck folded in an S-curve.
Best time to see a Great Blue Heron
The best time to see a Great Blue Heron is January–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 346,129 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a Great Blue Heron? What bird is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent Great Blue Heron sightings near you
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