The life expectancy of birds is known to be closely related to their size. So as the biggest heron species in North America, how long do great blue herons live? The average life expectancy for these large birds is around fifteen years. However, surviving their first year is no easy task.
The Size-Age Connection
Great blue herons reach heights of four and a half feet and can have wingspans of up to six and a half feet wide. As a general rule, it’s accepted that the size of a bird correlates to its lifespan. So it’s no wonder great blue herons have a much longer lifespan than most smaller birds.
In fact, the oldest great blue heron on record is believed to be at least twenty-four. Flamingoes are another example of this general rule as these tall birds have an average lifespan of thirty years or more.
The Dangers Young Herons Face
While great blue herons live to an older age than many other bird species, there are also many perils and challenges they must face early on and often even before even hatching. Despite the fact that herons typically lay from three to six eggs in an average brood only two young herons on average will survive.
Herons are extremely sensitive when nesting and may abandon nests, young, and breeding colonies if they are disturbed by humans. While adult herons don’t have many predators once full-grown, many animals eat young herons and heron eggs. Predators such as raccoons, opossums, minks, and alligators are common threats among a handful of others.
Eagles in particular are a big threat, especially bald eagles. And just like when disturbed by humans, when there is a persistent eagle threat herons may abandon their nests completely.
In times when food is hard to find the weakest hatchlings typically die of starvation and then there is always the threat of simply falling out of the nest. Cold weather, windstorms, and heavy rain during hatching also commonly cause the death of baby herons.
High-Mortality Rate
Things don’t get any easier for young herons, at least not at first. Past studies on banded great blue herons in North America have shown that after leaving the nest the mortality rate for the first year of their life is around seventy percent. These are usually due to mistakes made because of the birds’ lack of experience. However, after the first year, the death rate decreases steadily.
Challenges Of Adult Herons
As adults, great blue herons have few predators, because of their large size and sharp beak they are simply too much to handle for most animals. However many herons are killed each year and often illegally by humans. Herons primarily eat fish which can cause them to get into trouble when it comes to stealing fish from commercial fish farms and backyard ponds.
There are a few ways to efficiently and humanely deter herons such as by using a heron decoy for example. Decoys trick these territorial feeders into thinking that another heron has already claimed the area, so they won’t land. However, a bullet is unfortunately sometimes used instead.
Because herons are at the top of the food chain they are affected by toxins. While we don’t know the full effects of the toxins on adult birds it does affect their reproduction. Mercury, selenium, and PCBs, in particular, have been proven to cause their eggshells to become too fragile to survive normal incubation.
Last but not least draining wetlands and the loss of other feeding habitats for development can drastically impact the reproduction rate of local heron populations. This is due to the fact that the number of breeding great blue herons is directly related to the amount of feeding habitat available.
Great blue herons are special and unique birds. While they can be considered pests in some circumstances deterrents are always the best solution. And to help ensure great blue herons live as long as possible feeding habitats and breeding areas need to be protected.
Start Shopping for Birding Supplies!
Flightless Australian Birds
There are over sixty species of flightless birds in the world. These birds have lost their capability to fly through evolution, and several of them live in the “land Down Under.” So here’s a list of all the flightless Australian birds. Emu The emu is a large...
The Most Dangerous Birds In The World
Most bird species are harmless, although there is a handful that can seriously injure or even kill you. And while the chances you’ll have a run-in with an aggressive winged beast is low, for safety’s sake (or your own curiosity) you’ll want to know more. So here’s a...
Iridescent Birds
Iridescent birds have plumage that can appear to change color depending on the angle at which you are looking at them. This makes these special birds not only unique but also oftentimes amazingly beautiful. So here are the top iridescent bird species you’ll want to...
Flightless Birds
There are many bird species that have lost the ability to fly due to evolution. While you may be familiar with some of them already, the odds are that there are quite a few which you aren’t. So here are some of the top flightless birds and what you’ll want to know...
Birds With Hair
Many bird species can look as if they have hair on their heads. While that “hair” is really made up of feathers they are nevertheless fun to look at. So here are some of the most interesting and unique looking and birds with “hair,” you’ll ever see. Silver Pheasant...
Bearded Birds
Birds with beards are always an interesting sight. And while they may not have real facial hair like us humans, it can often look like it. So here are some of the top bearded birds and what you’ll want to know about them. Wild Turkey The male wild turkey has a beard...
Cool Looking Birds
With so many different bird species on the planet, they really come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and other physical characteristics. And some bird species are just much more interesting in appearance than others. The following are some cool looking...
Birds With Long Pointed Beaks
Bird beaks come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. Yet while they may not be as common as other types, birds with long pointed beaks have some of the most unique and specialized beaks in the world. So here’s a list of the longest and pointiest beaks in the business...
Snapping Turtle Facts
The common snapping turtle is known for its aggressive attitude and powerful jaws. There are many amazing things you’ll want to know about these large and ornery reptiles. So here are some of the top common snapping turtle facts. They Aren’t Picky Eaters The common...
Birds With Huge Beaks
There is an enormous variety of bird species on the planet. And while many have stunning colors or plumage, there are only a handful of birds with huge beaks. The following birds have some of the largest beaks on the planet. Toucan Toucans can have beaks that are as...
Ostrich Facts
The ostrich is a unique bird that is famous for its enormous size. But there are many more things you’ll want to know about this unusual-looking species. So here are some of the most amazing ostrich facts. Ostriches Live In Groups With more eyes on the lookout for...
Pink Bird Species
There’s just something special about pink plumage. Not only does it stand out visually, but the fact that it’s quite rare in the world of birds makes it even more extraordinary. So here are some of the coolest-looking pink bird species you’ll want to check out. Galah...
Birds With Strange Beaks
Birds with strange beaks can look totally bizarre. However those weird looking beaks are actually highly specialized tools. So here are some of the birds with the strangest beaks of all, along with what you'll want to know about them. Spoonbill Spoonbills are wading...
Birds That Look Like Turkey Vultures
The turkey vulture is a large and unique-looking scavenger. It has a featherless red head and dark plumage. However, despite its distinct appearance, there are a handful of other birds that look like turkey vultures. The following are the most similar-looking species....
Birds That Look Like Penguins
Penguins are flightless birds that typically have black and white plumage. They are top-notch swimmers that are only found in the Southern Hemisphere. However, there are quite a few other birds that are often confused with them. So here’s a list of birds that look...
Scary Looking Birds
There are many bird species that are known for their incredible beauty. Yet there are a few that are instead famous for their frightening appearance. So here are some scary looking birds you’ll want to check out. Shoebill The shoebill is a truly prehistoric looking...
Crazy Looking Birds
There is an unbelievable number of bird species on the planet. And that means that there are a few that are bound to stand out in terms of their looks. So here are some crazy-looking birds, that you’ll not only be shocked to see but that you’ll want to learn more...
Prehistoric Looking Birds
The birds we see today evolved from dinosaurs. Many species have changed so much that they don’t really resemble their ancestors much at all. Yet there are still a handful of birds that look as if they have stepped right out millions of years in the past. So here are...
Dinosaur Looking Birds
Modern-day birds are generally accepted to have evolved from dinosaurs. And there are many species that even today still have a prehistoric appearance. So here are some of the most dinosaur-looking birds on the planet. Stellar’s Sea Eagle With their sharp talons and...
Cassowary Facts
The cassowary is a unique-looking flightless bird native to Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. And there are many fascinating things about them. So here are some of the most interesting cassowary facts. It's The Most Dangerous Bird On The Planet The cassowary...