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.
Start Shopping for Heron Deterrents!
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...