Bay Critter Profile: Great Blue Heron

The Great Blue Heron (Adrea herodias) ranks as the largest of North American herons and egrets. It is a long-legged wading bird that stands four feet tall and has a wingspan of six feet. As is typical of herons, great blues have a short, blunt tail, extremely long legs and neck, and a sharp bill. The Great Blue Herons are one of the top predators of the Bay food chain.

Their nests are constructed of sticks and can be used year after year. The nests are lined with reeds, mosses and grasses to help cushion three to seven eggs that are laid during March and April. Nesting sites should be observed from a distance of at least 200 meters to minimize disruption of the colony. If herons are disturbed frequently, they may abandon their nests or neglect their young.

In recent years, Great Blue Herons have had to face new challenges. Loss of nesting sites and deterioration of water quality and wetland habitat are issues of concern for heron survival. Natural generation of new nesting sites has decreased due to artificial hardening of shorelines with bulkheads. Toxic chemicals that enter the bay from runoff pose yet another threat. Great Blue Herons are not only dependent upon the bay for survival, but also depend on our actions as well. With our combined efforts to help limit shoreline hardening structures and toxins in the water, we can help ensure the vitality of these beautiful birds.