Great blue herons are often seen slowly wading in shallow water hunting for food. You may have even spotted one of these large birds in your own backyard pond. This leaves many people wondering: “What do great blue herons eat?” And here’s everything you’ll need to know.
A Fishy Diet
The majority of a heron’s diet is made up of fish. Because they are opportunistic feeders the exact species of fish depends on what’s available in the local ecosystem. Herons catch fish by stalking them and then spearing them with their beaks. They then swallow them whole although they may give fish a good shake first to help break any potentially dangerous sharp spines.
While herons usually feed on small fish they will take the larger fish if they have the chance. In fact, it’s not unheard of for a heron to actually choke to death when attempting to swallow fish or animals which are too big to fit down their S-shaped throats.
What Do Herons Eat Apart From Fish?
Great blue herons will also eat a range of other animals. For example mice and small rodents such as voles often make up a substantial part of their diet. Rats are sometimes included as well. Small birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects, worms, and crustaceans like crabs and shrimp are also consumed by hungry herons.
Do Herons Eat Frogs?
Herons eat frogs and tadpoles regularly. And this goes for both in the wild and in backyard ponds and water features where they may be looking for an easy meal.
Do Herons Eat Ducklings?
If the opportunity presents itself great blue herons will not hesitate to devour ducklings. Unfortunately for the ducklings, because of the size of the heron, there is nothing a mother duck can do to protect them. While herons are much more likely to eat the smaller ducklings some larger herons are actually able to eat sub-adult and even adult ducks as well.
Do Herons Eat Snakes?
Snakes are on the heron’s menu. And because many snake species live and hunt near the water or in marshy areas, it’s not uncommon at all for herons to swallow snakes as well.
What Do Herons Eat In The Winter?
Great blue herons typically migrate to warmer southern areas in the wintertime. There they will continue to eat their normal diet. However, some individual birds may not migrate at all. This is sometimes the case in areas where there winter temperatures are high enough so that the water remains unfrozen giving the herons access to fish.
Herons may also switch to moving water such as streams and rivers to catch fish once ponds and lakes freeze over. Interestingly even when all water sources may be frozen some individual herons may remain during the winter months surviving on small mammals.
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