Great Blue Heron 101
An absolutely magnificent creature, the Great Blue Heron is one of the largest species of bird in our area. Standing stoically at about 3.5 - 4.5 feet, this consummate angler is often seen standing motionless in or on the edge of a stream, river or wetland. Its super power is its uncanny ability to remain motionless and then strike at its meal with lightning speed. On the menu: f
ish, snakes, frogs, crustaceans, birds, small mammals, and insects.
Great Blues are colonial nesters, with 10 to 75 pairs nesting in one location or rookery, of which there are several in the Cincinnati area. While we don't have one at the Nature Center, there's an active one in West Chester by Ikea. Herons
prefer shallow water areas with trees for nesting nearby.
Breeding occurs generally from the end of March through mid-April. Both parents incubate the eggs for about a month and the young leave the nest after about 60 days. These statuesque birds migrate to warmer areas in winter, where unfrozen waters provide food. They return to their nesting sites in late winter or early spring.