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Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias

Aves > Pelecaniformes > Ardeidae

Names in different Languages

GermanKanadareiher
EnglishGreat Blue Heron
FrenchGrand Héron
SpanishGarza Azulada

Description

The largest heron found along the St. Lawrence River and lakes near Montreal. When not resting, the bird either stands still in the water or moves slowly along the shores searching for frogs, snakes or fishes to catch.

How to Identify

It's the largest heron seen in Montreal. Mostly grey with some white along the head. It can be easily distinguished from the slightly smaller heron, the Great Egret which is completely white.

Where When to Spot

Usually found moving slowly within the reed, or it stands on wood trunks or stones in flowing water. Can be seen from early spring to late autumn as long as the shores of river and lakes are not frozen. Migrates South late autumn.

Photos

Videos

Observations

2022-10-08Parc Angrignon
2022-05-25Parc Bernard-Landry
2021-08-19Saguenay St. Lawrence Marine Park
2019-09-29Parc Angrignon
2019-08-04Parc Angrignon
2019-07-01Parc Angrignon
2019-06-22Parc de la Frayère
2019-06-22Parc Angrignon
2019-05-25Parc Angrignon
2019-05-09Parc de la Frayère