Scientific Name: Ardea herodias

Residency: Year-round throughout Arizona.

Diet: Mostly fish but also amphibians, reptiles, insects, rodents and birds.

Predators: Unattended eggs are eaten by Common Ravens. Predators of nestlings include eagles, raccoons, bears, Turkey Vultures and Red-tailed Hawks.

Nesting: The nest site is typically in a tree 20-60 feet above the ground or water, although shrubs are also used in nesting. The female will lay 3-5 eggs in a platform type nest made out of sticks.

Nesting records:

Notes: The Great Blue Heron is the most widespread and well known of North American herons. They are very sensitive to human disturbances, primarily habitat loss. Great Blue Heron abandon their colony sites after adults and nestlings have been killed by predators. Although this bird?s populations have remained relatively stable throughout most of its range, this species is still protected under the United States Migratory Bird Act. 

Photo: Photo at right was taken at Coon Bluff on November 9, 2006. For more photos, click on camera icon.

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