Species Profile: Great Blue Heron

Since great blue herons are wetlands birds, their diet consists of fish, amphibians, reptiles, other small animals, insects, and other birds.¹² Herons stand statue-still or wade slowly, waiting or looking for food. Once they find something to eat, they strike incredibly fast with their strong, sharp bill. Interestingly, they are solitary fishers and can hunt in the day or nighttime due to strong night-visio.^13,14

Great blue herons are generally considered to have healthy populations in Canada. However, the Pacific great blue heron sub-species, Ardea herodias fannini, is listed as ‘special concern’. This sub-species is only found in British Columbia, primarily on the coast, where it forages in marshes, tidal mudflats, and kelp forests.^15,16 Additionally, this sub-species does not migrate and lives its entire life in BC. Unfortunately, the threats to the Pacific great blue heron include human disturbance and development, agriculture and aquaculture, and industrial development (i.e., logging, utility lines, road construction, forestry).^17,18 These impacts cause both habitat loss and disturbance to herons; once herons have been disturbed, they often abandon their nest. The BC Wildlife Act and the Canadian Migratory Birds Convention Act protect this sub-species, along with its nest and eggs, offering some hope that the species may recover to healthy population numbers.¹⁹

If you have questions or see wildlife in need of help, please contact AIWC or your nearest wildlife rescue.