Great Blue Heron facts: not (technically) egrets, definitely not cranes | Animal Fact Files

Great blue herons are large birds, and are in fact the largest herons in North America! They may be mistakenly called cranes, but they aren't. Great blue herons live near slow moving or still water systems and gather in large groups during their breeding season in spring. Great blue herons are commonly seen perched in trees, flying overhead, or wading in water looking for a meal!
Scientific Name: Ardea herodias
Range: found mostly in North and Central America; can be seen in South America and parts of Europe
Size: 4 feet (1.2m) tall; 6 foot (1.8m) wingspans; 7 pounds (3.2kg) in weight
Diet: fish, frogs, snakes, salamanders, insects, rodents, other birds, etc.
Lifespan: 15+ years
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Image and Video Credits:
classicalcookie891 - • Baby Great White Heron...
devra - www.flickr.com/photos/minicoo...
gailhampshire - www.flickr.com/photos/gails_p...
CheepShot - www.flickr.com/photos/2375569...
Brocken Inaglory - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ar...
Ken Thomas - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gr...
Brylie Oxley - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Charles J Sharp - commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi... commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...
Ron Rosebrook - vimeo.com/69201867
Elvis Deane - vimeo.com/171359661
Doug Jones - Nature Videos - vimeo.com/203518938
Christopher Taylor - vimeo.com/89348091
PapaJohn - vimeo.com/41966523; vimeo.com/99607084
jaquebooya - vimeo.com/59783744
Maclin - vimeo.com/179956745
Anand Vyas - vimeo.com/244514467
Endless Echo - vimeo.com/72869933
DerekMeetsWorld - vimeo.com/316166542
martinjlaight - vimeo.com/223214658
Philberts - vimeo.com/14563438
Research Credits:
blog.nwf.org/2011/03/is-this-...
www.fws.gov/uploadedFiles/Cra...
dickinsoncountyconservationboa...
sciencing.com/differences-mal...
www.google.com/books/edition/...
www.oiseaux.net/maps/great.bl...
(original video sources)
Collected 08/04/16
www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/G...
www.audubon.org/field-guide/bi...
animals.nationalgeographic.com...
www.birdweb.org/birdweb/bird/g...
repeatingislands.com/2013/01/...
www.arkive.org/great-blue-hero...
bna.birds.cornell.edu/bna/spec...
www.symbolic-meanings.com/2007...
Collected 08/08/16
blog.nwf.org/2011/03/is-this-a...
www.differencebetween.net/scie...
www.earthlife.net/birds/herons...

[@lunalea1250]

Once you see one, u never forget it & I personally feel they show up in my life when I'm going thru rough patches, I enjoy seeing them by the Canals, thank u...😊🥳💙

[@Allthingsmarinelife]

These birds always freaked me out , great video

[@oliviachapman6572]

I was hiking on a trail (both sides had water...like a swamp). Blue Heron came out of nowhere 👀. Had to duck... Scared the mess out of me, they are huge.

[@pauljordan4452]

Don't worry. They're beautiful.

[@ToToWildlife]

It’s a beautiful bird and a great fisherman 👍

[@Emily-fx5ir]

Great vid very informative

[@Col28]

Very cool birds (as are all birds). Thanks!

[@ShelbyOnSafari]

I had no idea their wingspan got up to 6 feet! Gee whiz! That's really cool about the subspecies in Florida! Thanks for another great video 💚

[@AnimalFactFiles]

There's a board at our local zoo that has bird wingspans and you're supposed to spread your arms and see which bird you match up with. These birds are on it and it's kind of amazing to see the perspective!

[@CatFish107]

​@@AnimalFactFilesnever hugged a heron? Well, there's something for the bucket list. 😉

[@lindseyfrancesco4]

There's one of these living at a local park, any time I visit in the afternoon I can see it hanging out with the cormorants by the water's edge.

[@dogcuseries]

Thanks for the info in this majestic big bird. Very informative.

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Thanks for watching

[@chisaquaticvibe6524]

Great blue herons! What fun!

[@arclightecho420]

Definitely learned something thanks!

[@soldtobediers]

Wife & I, both retired; try & have coffee with both the ingress & egress of their morning & evening on line flights. This helped in understanding more about these Blue Herons here in FW Texas. All I ever really knew about them; is what would come up in bass fishing the banks of our local lakes. Like the cliché comments between we fishermen, as how they are still alive because they are the greatest fisher's in the lake.

[@CatFish107]

I live up the hill from an estuary on a Pacific Canadian island. There's a very large group of nests in the trees in our neighborhood. The Herons are very quiet most of the time, but there are occasions when they all decide to get loud together, and it's one of the scariest sounds I've heard, before realizing what was making it. Terrible screeching racket. It is amazing to see the birds all start arriving from the day's fishing, flying in to the treetops around sunset.

[@CatFish107]

"Greatest fishers" might have a little competition from my diving friend, the kingfisher. I raise a mug of burnt bean juice to a long and healthy competition for top spot. Cheers.

[@tusk242]

thank you. I like when small little details are added, In books it is usually always the same, Size , and weight. I was hooping to locate better details about the WHOOPING CRANE. Seen about 5-7 enjoying the thermal air, while doing their ballet dance. Sky was grey that day, but the sun managed to peek through giving the cranes the center stage light. , Thanks again about the great Blue Heron..

[@saifalmeslati4895]

Next can you do about t Fishbowls. Not a specific subspecies

[@AutoCrete]

About 5 or 6 miles from the nearest substantial body of water a very industrious lady built a very nice water feature including a 5 ft waterfall, in her back yard. She got the water suitable to sustain fish and started adding some. Her fish started to disappear and she wondered why? One morning she woke up early and looked out of the bedroom window that overlooked the back yard and saw a blue heron fishing for breakfast. That day she went to town and purchased several hundred feet of chicken wire. End of Heron poaching her fish.

[@BoReads]

They're so cute. I got really close to them when I was on Orange Beach in Alabama.

[@jonathanbrown4933]

thanks, can never know enough about bird life...

[@karyldavidkidd7111]

Thank you

[@them12biggates26]

They r definitely rare and a good sign when you see one

[@susiebeer4065]

I think I have one in my back yard, Indiana been standing here for over 20 mins next to the edge of my pond. Is this common?

[@AnimalFactFiles]

They're often seen along pond edges!

[@annthonygilliam1211]

Do green anoles

[@vernonfridy8416]

Alternatively, “egret” may refer to members of the genus Egretta, such as the Little Egret, Snowy Egret, and Little Blue Heron. In that case, neither the Great Blue Heron or the Great Egret are egrets. Instead, the common name for the genus those two species belong to, Ardea, is “great herons”.

[@jipztanudtanud9941]

How they beaks evolved?

[@Zug75]

they always like their fish RAW RAW, thats what their calls sound like

[@Bushcraft242]

Amazing birds

[@AnimalFactFiles]

Completely agreed!

[@ahmetk5922]

Can you do a limpet😂😂😂😂

[@misterwolf9227]

Do herons spread parasites? supposedly some sport of parasite lives in the heron that it spreads when it catches a fish.

[@intercity_trainspotting]

The great blue heron is with the grey heron and great egret, in the ardeidae family

[@indyreno2933]

Herons and egrets are both ardeids, ardeids are a family of birds within the order Ciconiiformes, which also includes species such as ibises, spoonbills, and storks, ardeids are sometimes mistaken for cranes, to which herons are not related to, cranes are any member of the family Gruidae, which actually belongs to a whole different order, which is the order Gruiformes, which also contains the limpkin, trumpeters, sarothurids, finfoots, and members of the rail family.

[@connorflaherty175]

Actually, genetic research indicates that herons, along with ibises and spoonbills, the shoebill, and the hamerkop, are more closely related to pelicans and thus they make up pelicaniformes.

[@indyreno2933]

Actually the order Ciconiiformes just contains three extant families Ciconiidae (Storks), Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns), and Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills), the order Pelecaniformes contains ten families Rhynochetidae (Kagu), Eurypygidae (Sunbittern), Scopidae (Hamerkop), Balaenicipitidae (Shoebill), Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds), Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets), Fregatidae (Frigatebirds), Anhingidae (Darters), Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags), and Pelecanidae (Pelicans), this divides Pelecaniformes into four suborders: Eurypygae (contains 2 families: Rhynochetidae (Kagu) and Eurypygidae (Sunbittern)), Balaenicipites (contains 2 families: Scopidae (Hamerkop) and Balaenicipitidae (Shoebill)), Phaethontae (contains 1 family: Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)), and Pelecani (contains 5 families: Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets), Fregatidae (Frigatebirds), Anhingidae (Darters), Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags), and Pelecanidae (Pelicans)), within Pelecaniformes, the suborders Eurypygae (Sunbittern and Kagu) and Balaenicipites (Shoebill and Hamerkop) are basal suborders within Pelecaniformes with Eurypygae being the most basal, while Balaenicipites is the sister group to the Phaethontae + Pelecani clade, Ciconiiformes (Storks, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Ibises, and Spoonbills) and Pelecaniformes (Pelicans, Cormorants, Shags, Darters, Frigatebirds, Boobies, Gannets, Tropicbirds, Shoebill, Hamerkop, Sunbittern, and Kagu) are sister groups and are the only extant orders that comprise the clade Ciconiopelecanae.

[@connorflaherty175]

@@indyreno2933 you can’t solely consider how they relate to each other by morphology alone. Genetic research has helped clarify taxonomic relationships. Now there are still some taxons that are still debated, but that’s the thing about research, it helps build our understanding.

[@indyreno2933]

That's because, there are only thirty extant orders of birds 1) Tinamiformes (Tinamous (contains 1 family: Tinamidae (Tinamous))) 2) Rheiformes (New World Ratites (contains 1 family: Rheidae (Rheas))) 3) Struthioniformes (Old World Ratites (contains 1 family: Struthionidae (Ostriches))) 4) Apterygiformes (Kiwis (contains 1 family: Apterygidae (Modern Kiwis))) 5) Casuariiformes (contains 2 families: Dromaiidae (Emu and Fossil Relatives) and Casuariidae (Cassowaries and Fossil Relatives))) 6) Opisthocomiformes (Hoatzin and Fossil Relatives (contains 1 family: Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin))) 7) Falconiformes (Birds of Prey (contains 9 families: Cariamidae (Seriamas), Sagittariidae (Secretarybird), Aquilidae (Eagles), Accipitridae (Hawks, Buzzards, Kites, and Harriers), Pandionidae (Ospreys), Aegypiidae (Old World Vultures), Cathartidae (New World Vultures), Caracaridae (Caracaras), and Falconidae (Falcons, Kestrels, Hobbies, and Falconets))) 8) Galliformes (Gamebirds (contains 9 families: Megapodiidae (Megapodes), Cracidae (Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas), Numididae (Guineafowl), Rollulidae (Jungle Partridges), Phasianidae (Pheasants, Monals, Minae Partridges, and Tragopans), Odontophoridae (New World Partridges and Quails), Perdicidae (Old World Partridges and Quails), Tetraonidae (Grouse, Turkeys, and Koklass Pheasants), and Gallidae (Chickens, Bamboo Partridges, Francolins, Spurfowl, Peafowl, Arguses, Peacock Pheasants, Crimson-Headed Partridge, African Forest Partridges, Snowcocks, Dwarf Quails, Malagasy Partridge, and Desert Partridges))) 9) Anseriformes (Waterfowl (contains 6 families: Anhimidae (Screamers), Anseranatidae (Magpie Goose), Anseridae (Geese and Swans), Dendrocygnidae (Oriental Ducks), Anatidae (True Ducks), and Mergidae (Mergansers and Scoters))) 10) Gruiformes (Cranes, Rails, and Relatives (contains 6 families: Sarothuridae (Flufftails, Woodrails, and Forest Rails), Heliornithidae (Finfoots), Rallidae (Rails, Crakes, Sora, Gallinules, Nativehens, Swamphens, Moorhen, Watercock, and Coots), Psophiidae (Trumpeters), Aramidae (Limpkin), and Gruidae (Cranes))) 11) Charadriiformes (Shorebirds (contains 20 families: Turnicidae (Buttonquails), Pedionomidae (Plains Wanderer), Thinocoridae (Seedsnipes), Rostratulidae (Painted Snipes), Jacanidae (Jacanas), Scolopacidae (Woodcocks, Snipes, Curlews, Sandpipers, Godwits, Dowitchers, Phalaropes, Shanks, Tattlers, Turnstones, Knots, Stints, Dunlin, Ruff, and Surfbird), Charadriidae (Plovers and Lapwings), Pluvianellidae (Magellanic Plover), Recurvirostridae (Avocets and Stilts), Ibidorhynchidae (Ibisbill), Haematopodidae (Oystercatchers), Burhinidae (Stone-Curlews), Chionidae (Sheathbills), Glareolidae (Pratincoles and Coursers), Dromadidae (Crab Plover), Pluvianidae (Crocodile Bird), Laridae (Gulls), Stercorariidae (Skuas), Sternidae (Terns, Skimmers, and Noddies), and Fraterculidae (Puffins, Razorbill, Auks, Auklets, Guillemots, Murres, and Murrelets))) 12) Ciconiiformes (Storks, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Ibises, and Spoonbills (contains 3 families: Threskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills), Ciconiidae (Storks), and Ardeidae (Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns))) 13) Pelecaniformes (Pelicans and Relatives (contains 10 families: Rhynochetidae (Kagu), Eurypygidae (Sunbittern), Scopidae (Hamerkop), Balaenicipitidae (Shoebill), Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds), Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets), Fregatidae (Frigatebirds), Anhingidae (Darters), Phalacrocoracidae (Cormorants and Shags), and Pelecanidae (Pelicans))) 14) Procellariiformes (Petrels, Shearwaters, Fulmars, Prions, Albatrosses, and Storm Petrels (contains 4 families: Oceanitidae (Southern Storm Petrels), Hydrobatidae (Northern Storm Petrels), Diomedeidae (Albatrosses), and Procellariidae (Petrels, Shearwaters, Fulmars, and Prions))) 15) Podicipediformes (Grebes (contains 1 family: Podicipedidae (Modern Grebes)) 16) Gaviiformes (Loons (contains 1 family: Gaviidae (Modern Loons)) 17) Phoenicopteriformes (Flamingos (contains 1 family: Phoenicopteridae (True Flamingos))) 18) Sphenisciformes (Penguins (contains 1 family: Spheniscidae (True Penguins))) 19) Pteroclidiformes (Sandgrouse and Fossil Relatives (contains 1 family: Pteroclididae (Sandgrouse)) 20) Columbiformes (Columbids and Fossil Relatives (contains 1 family: Columbidae (Columbids))) 21) Cuculiformes (Cuckoos, Turacos, Bustards, and Mesites (contains 4 families: Musophagidae (Turacos), Cuculidae (Cuckoos), Otididae (Bustards), and Mesitornithidae (Mesites))) 22) Caprimulgiformes (Nightjars and Relatives (contains 5 families: Caprimulgidae (Nightjars, Nighthawks, Poorwills, and Pauraques), Podargidae (Frogmouths), Nyctibiidae (Potoos), Aegotgelidae (Owlet Nightjars), and Steatornithidae (Oilbird))) 23) Apodiformes (Swifts and Hummingbirds (contains 3 families: Hemiprocnidae (Treeswifts), Apodidae (True Swifts), and Trochilidae (Hummingbirds))) 24) Strigiformes (Owls (contains 2 families: Tytonidae (Barn Owls, Grass Owls, Masked Owls, Ashy-Faced Owl, Sooty Owls, and Bay Owls) and Strigidae (True Owls))) 25) Trogoniformes (Trogons (contains 1 family: Trogonidae (Trogons)) 26) Piciformes (Woodpeckers, Toucans, and Relatives (contains 9 families: Bucconidae (Puffbirds), Galbulidae (Jacamars), Megalaimidae (Asiatic Barbets), Lybiidae (African Barbets), Semnornithidae (Toucan Barbet and Prong-Billed Barbet), Capitonidae (American Barbets), Ramphastidae (Toucans), Indicatoridae (Honeyguides), and Picidae (Woodpeckers))) 27) Coraciiformes (Kingfishers, Hornbills, and Relatives (contains 10 families: Coraciidae (True Rollers), Brachypteraciidae (Ground Rollers), Leptosomidae (Cuckoo Roller), Phoeniculidae (Woodhoopoes and Scimitarbills), Upupidae (Hoopoes), Bucerotidae (Hornbills), Momotidae (Motmots), Todidae (Todies), Meropidae (Bee-Eaters), and Alcedinidae (Kingfishers))) 28) Coliiformes (Mousebirds (contains 1 family: Coliidae (Mousebirds))) 29) Psittaciformes (Parrots (contains 10 families: Nestoridae (Kea and Kakas), Strigopidae (Kakapo), Nymphicidae (Cockatiel), Cacatuidae (True Cockatoos), Coracopsidae (Indian Ocean Parrots), Micropsittidae (Pygmy Parrots), Psittaculidae (Eclectus Parrots and Relatives), Loriidae (Lorikeets), Psittacellidae (Tiger Parrots and Relatives), and Psittacidae (Common Parrots))) 30) Passeriformes (Passerines (contains 150 families))

[@user-iq7sw2rb7k]

Voci Grey HERON TANKU VRY MACH

[@michaelconticchio7505]

Heron is Mistaken for Puffin and 🐧 Penguin?

[@michaelconticchio7505]

Heron is Mistaken for Puffin and 🐧 Penguin? At 0:40

[@arbitrarylib]

Are you a vet?

[@AnimalFactFiles]

No, but we both collectively worked at vet offices for almost fifteen years!

[@humanaccount2754]

Nice vid. Probs wud wanna change the thumbnail tho incase people are mislead. They cant bring good or ward off evil independent of God as only He can do that, and it would be offensive to try equate a bird to Him. Wether that be a bird or a human or a seashell etc