Great blue heron
Ardea herodias
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family (Ardeidae), common near shores of open water and wetlands over most of North and Central America, as well as Northweste
About the Great blue heron
The great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is a large wading bird in the heron family (Ardeidae), common near shores of open water and wetlands over most of North and Central America, as well as Northwestern South America, the Caribbean, and the Galápagos Islands. It is occasionally found in the Azores and is a rare vagrant to Europe. An all-white population found in South Florida and the Florida Keys is known as the great white heron. Debate exists about whether these white birds are a color morph of the great blue heron, a subspecies of it, or an entirely separate species.
Fun Facts About Great blue heron
- It is occasionally found in the Azores and is a rare vagrant to Europe.
- Debate exists about whether these white birds are a color morph of the great blue heron, a subspecies of it, or an entirely separate species.
Conservation Status
The Great blue heron is classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. This species is currently stable and not at significant risk of population decline.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | heron |
| Genus | Ardea |
| Species | Ardea herodias |
Range & Habitat
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