82 
which are better recognized by species than as a subfamily. However, any such bird that 
is obviously not a Bittern is probably a Heron. 
Nesting. Herons commonly build their nests in communities, usually in tree tops 
in wet forests, but sometimes in bushes or on ground. 
The Herons are fishers of open shallows, haunting grassy bogs less 
than the Bittern. Instead of stalking their prey they remain motioniess 
until it comes within reach. 
194. Great Blue Heron. BLUE CRANE. BLUE HERON. FR.—LE GRAND HERON 
BLEUE. Ardea herodias. L, 42. Plate VI B. 
Distinctions. The largest Heron found in Canada; the Sandhill Crane of the west 
is the only bird for which it may be mistaken. The fully feathered forehead is diagnostic. 
Compare Figures 18 and 20, p. 21. 
Field Marks. WHeron-like outline, size, and general coloration make the best field 
marks. Unlike the Crane that flies with neck outstretched the Great Blue Heron, like 
other Herons, travels with neck folded and head drawn into shoulders. 
Nesting. Usually in large communities in wet woods, such as tamarack, ash, or elm 
swamps, in nest of large bulky structure of sticks in tree tops. 
Distribution. Over nearly the whole of Canada, breeding wherever found. 
SUBSPECIES. The Great Blue Heron is divided into several subspecies, of which 
the typical form, Eastern Great Blue Heron Ardea herodias herodias is the only one that 
occurs in eastern Canada. 
The Great Blue Heron is a haunter of open, shallow water. It rarely 
frequents dense reed beds, though it is often found on their outskirts or 
on the edges of pools within them. It prefers wide shallow reaches of 
rivers, or open flats of marsh or tidal shores. It is a still-hunter, cautiously 
wading with almost imperceptible movements, or standing statuesquely 
regarding the water until its prey comes within reach when, with a lightning 
stroke of the sharp bill, the prey is secured. Herons, nesting in large 
rookeries in wet woods, have been peculiarly open to the senseless per- 
secution that seems to follow all our larger birds. Wary and suspicious 
ordinarily, in the vicinity of their nests they lose much of their usual 
caution and, in the rookeries, the birds can be shot in numbers. Heronries 
are usually known to all the surrounding country and are in the breeding 
season often visited by the rural sportsman who kills the parent birds and 
leaves the young to die of hunger, although a landowner has occasionally 
sufficient public spirit to protect heronries on his property. The result 
is that this picturesque bird is becoming scarce. Heronries once destroyed 
in this manner are seldom if ever repopulated and new ones are rarely 
established. Birds breeding in communities are seldom driven away to 
new locations. They remain until the individuals composing them are 
exterminated. The Blue Heron is a harmless bird and should receive 
every protection possible. 
Economic Status. The food of the Great Blue Heron is almost entirely 
animal in its nature consisting mainly of frogs, snakes, and small fish 
usually of no economic importance. Cranes frequent the fields for food 
but the Herons never do so. Occasionally Herons may visit trout streams 
where they meander through open meadows, but such cases are rare and 
insufficient for the condemnation of the species. Herons often frequent 
the pound nets of the fishermen, but the limited size of their gullets pre- 
cludes their taking anything of economic importance and the suspicion 
of the net owners against them is unfounded. 
