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Quebec's vast array of wetlands, lakes, and rivers provide critical habitat for over 200 species of birds, including 8 types of magnificent herons. These long-legged wading birds grace Quebec's waterways and wetlands, where their elegant forms and patient hunting styles never fail to impress. From the huge Great Blue Heron stalking shorelines, to the scrappy Green Heron foraging boldly in roadside ditches, Quebec herons exploit a wide range of habitats thanks to specialized adaptations for hunting and survival. Read on to learn more about the identification, behavior, breeding ecology, and conservation status of Quebec's 8 most common heron species - some widespread and abundant, others uncommon and local. Heron Species Size Habitat and Diet Great Blue Heron Over 1m tall with 2m wingspan Marshes, lakes, rivers. Fish, frogs, small mammals, insects. Great Egret Over 1m tall Marshes, wetlands, waterways. Fish, frogs, snakes, insects. Snowy Egret 60cm tall Marshes, ponds, wet meadows. Fish, frogs, crustaceans, insects. Little Blue Heron 60cm tall Marshes, swamps, ponds, streams. Fish, frogs, insects. Green Heron 46cm tall Marshes, ponds, ditches, shorelines. Fish, frogs, snakes, insects. Black-crowned Night-Heron 64cm tall Marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes. Fish, aquatic invertebrates. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron 61cm tall Marshes, ponds, rivers, lakes. Fish, frogs, crustaceans. Cattle Egret 50cm tall Grasslands, agricultural areas. Insects, small vertebrates. 1. Great Blue Heron The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the most widespread and largest heron found in Quebec. These majestic birds stand over a meter tall with a wingspan reaching up to 2 meters. They have slate-gray bodies, long necks, dagger-like bills, and a powder blue color on the crown, lore, cheeks, and scapulars. Great Blue Herons are found near marshes, streams, lakes, and ponds where they wade slowly through shallow waters to stalk and hunt fish, frogs, small mammals, and insects. They remain completely motionless for long periods, waiting to strike with lightning speed when prey comes near. Great Blues are solitary nesters, building large stick nests high up in trees near water. During breeding season, males will court females with elaborate displays, clacking their bills and extending their necks high into the air. Once paired, they will mate for life, returning to the same nesting site each year. Females lay 3-6 pale blue eggs which both parents incubate for about a month before hatching their altricial young. Parents fiercely guard the nest and feed the chicks by regurgitating food into their mouths. After about 2 months, the young will leave the nest but remain nearby, relying on their parents for food and protection while they learn to hunt on their own. Great Blue Herons can be seen alone or in small groups slowly stalking along the shorelines of Quebec's many lakes, rivers, marshes and estuaries. They often stand perfectly still on one leg with their neck tucked in an S-shape until they spy prey below the water's surface. With lightning fast reflexes they will spear a fish or frog and flip it into their mouth. Their powerful beaks easily dispatch and swallow their prey whole. Opportunity hunters, they will eat just about anything they can capture and consume prey up to the size of large gophers or ducklings. Though widespraead, Great Blue Heron numbers are declining in parts of their range due to habitat loss and human disturbance. Their nesting and foraging habitats need protection to ensure the survival of these majestic birds. 2. Great Egret The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large, elegant white heron adorned with feathery plumes. Though not found in huge numbers, it graces many of Quebec's wetlands and waterways with its beauty during warmer months. Great Egrets stand over a meter tall, and have bright yellow bills that take on an orange tint during breeding season. They have long black legs and feet adapted for wading, and their all-white plumage contrasts elegantly with their dark facial skin and bill. Breeding birds develop long filamentous plumes on their backs that flow gracefully in the breeze. Great Egrets stalk slowly and patiently, waiting to ambush fish with rapid jabs of their bills. They also prey on frogs, snakes, small mammals, and large insects. Great Egrets nest colonially with other wading birds like herons and egrets in trees or shrubs near water. Males gather nesting material while females build the nest platform. Egret pairs engage in elaborate courtship displays, using their bills to preen each other's plumage and showing off their back plumes. Females lay 3-5 eggs which are incubated by both parents for about 3 weeks. Chicks hatch helpless but grow quickly, able to leave the nest after 6 weeks of parental care. Though Great Egrets range across much of North and South America, they are an uncommon site in Quebec. They migrate through the province in spring and summer to breed in scattered wetlands and along major waterways like the St. Lawrence River. Their elegant white forms provide a stunning contrast to the vibrant green marshes they inhabit. Though populations were decimated in the past by hunters seeking their decorative plumes, Great Egrets have rebounded after protection efforts. They still face threats from habitat loss and human disturbance however, making it essential to conserve their wetland homes. 3. Snowy Egret With its thin black bill, lacy golden plumes, and stark white plumage, the diminutive Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) brings elegance and flair wherever it goes. Though small, it is a fierce hunter, stalking steadily through shallows and darting its bill with lightning speed to catch small fish. Snowy Egrets stand about 60 cm tall, with slender black legs and feet suited for wading. Nonbreeding adults are all white with a black bill and yellow face. During breeding season, they develop brilliant golden plumes on their heads, necks, and backs along with bright yellow feet. Their slim black bills turn a vibrant orange at the base. Snowy Egrets nest in colonies with other wading birds, building platform nests of sticks in trees or shrubs near water. Their courtship displays feature elaborate aerial maneuvers and fencing with their bills. Females lay 3-5 eggs which are incubated by both parents. The young hatch covered in down and are fed by regurgitation. They fledge in about 3-4 weeks but remain dependent on their parents for an additional period. In Quebec, Snowy Egrets are most abundant in breeding season along the St. Lawrence River. They frequent marshes, ponds, wet meadows and shorelines, stalking methodically with slow, steady steps. With lightning fast reflexes they stab small fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects from the water. Groups may feed communally, stirring up prey by shuffling their feet. Though populations were once threatened by plume hunters, they have rebounded in recent decades. Habitat loss remains their greatest threat however, making conservation of wetlands essential. 4. Little Blue Heron The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is a dark slate-gray heron adorned with a distinctive two-tone blue bill. Though small, it is a patient and skilled hunter, stalking prey stealthily through shallow wetlands throughout Quebec. Little Blue Herons stand about 60 cm tall, with slender dark bluish-gray legs and feet. Their plumage is uniformly slate-gray, darker on the head and neck, with a pale gray-blue bill. During breeding season, the bill turns bright blue with a black tip. Legs darken to a deep blue-black as well. Juveniles are mostly white with pale gray-blue wings. Little Blue Herons nest in colonies with other wading birds, building a platform nest of sticks high up in bushes or trees over water. Courtship displays feature overt "stretch" postures to show off plumes. Females lay 3-5 eggs and share incubation duties with males. The altricial chicks hatch nearly helpless but grow quickly. They fledge in about a month but continue to be fed by parents even after leaving the nest. In Quebec, Little Blue Herons frequent marshes, swamps, ponds and slow moving streams. They stalk prey methodically, standing motionless for long periods before spearing fish, frogs, crustaceans and insects with their specialized bills. While foraging, they may shuffle feet to stir up prey. Though still common, populations have declined significantly in parts of their range due to habitat loss. Protecting fragile wetland ecosystems is crucial to ensuring future survival. 5. Green Heron Though small in size, the Green Heron (Butorides virescens) makes up for it with attitude. This scrappy bird prowls shorelines and wetlands with boldness, often foraging out in the open. It has a diverse diet and varied hunting techniques to match its adaptable nature. Green Herons reach about 46 cm in height, with sturdy yellow legs and feet. As the name suggests, they have an overall greenish cast to their plumage, with a dark cap and back contrasting a paler neck and underparts. The bill is dark and robust. During breeding season, adults develop reddish and bluish accents on the head and neck. Juveniles are drabber with streaked plumage. Green Herons often nest alone, but may group together loosely in favorable habitat. The male selects the nest site, which the female then builds into a platform of sticks in a tree, bush or reeds. Males perform courtship displays, puffing feathers and extending plumes. Females lay 3-5 eggs, which are incubated for about three weeks before hatching. Both parents feed the chicks by regurgitation. Young fledge in about a month but remain dependent on parents for some time after. In Quebec, Green Herons frequent marshes, ponds, ditches and shorelines. They often perch prominently on branches, stumps or rocks to scan for prey which includes fish, frogs, crustaceans, small rodents, snakes, and insects. They may fly out from perches to grab items from the water surface, or wade stealthily through reeds to ambush prey. The bold Green Heron adapts readily to human-altered wetlands but still requires adequate habitat for breeding and foraging. 6. Black-crowned Night-Heron With bulky bodies, short thick necks, and stout bills, Black-crowned Night-Herons (Nycticorax nycticorax) have a tough and stocky appearance fitting for their nocturnal habits. These crepuscular herons nest in dense colonies and forage along waterways at dawn and dusk when prey is active. Black-crowned Night-Herons stand about 64 cm tall, with thick gray-black legs and feet. Adults have gray-black upperparts and wings contrasting with pale gray underparts. They have black caps and collars, bold white cheek patches, and bright red eyes. The stout bill is black. Immature birds are brown and streaked. In flight, night-herons display white rumps and wing linings. These gregarious herons nest in large groups, building stick nests in thick wetland vegetation near water. Males establish territories and perform courtship displays before females lay 3-5 eggs. Parents take turns incubating and later feed the altricial chicks by regurgitation. Young fledge at 6-7 weeks but may remain with parents for some time after. Black-crowned Night-Herons forage at dawn and dusk, roosting in trees during the day. They frequent marshes, ponds, rivers and lakes, stalking shorelines for fish, aquatic invertebrates, small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. While migratory further north, they overwinter in Quebec where open water provides year-round foraging. Though still common, populations have declined locally due to habitat loss and degradation. Protecting wetland habitats ensures future viability. 7. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron Though closely related to the black-crowned, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) sports a markedly different look befitting its tropical lineage. With bold black and white plumage and a striking yellow crown, this crepuscular heron brings flair and contrast wherever it goes. Yellow-crowned Night-Herons stand about 61 cm tall on sturdy bluish-gray legs. Adults have black upperparts and wings contrasting sharply with white underparts and head. The namesake yellow crown frames black facial skin and a thick black bill. Red eyes glow against the black and white plumage. Immature birds have brown streaked plumage before gaining adult colors at two years of age. Gregarious by nature, these herons nest colonially near water, often alongside other wading birds. Males establish and defend wetland territories then court females with elaborate displays and vocalizations. Pairs build stick nests and incubate the 3-5 eggs together. They feed the nestlings by regurgitation until fledging at 6-7 weeks. In Quebec, Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are most active at dawn and dusk, roosting in trees during the day. They forage shorelines for fish, frogs, crustaceans, small mammals, and anything else they can capture with their stout bills. While migratory in northern parts of range, they overwinter in Quebec where open water provides year-round foraging. Though still common, habitat loss has caused local declines, making protection of wetlands essential. 8. Cattle Egret With its distinctive yellow bill and buffy orange plumage, the Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is the lone heron adapted to terrestrial habitats. These sociable herons forage in grasslands and agricultural areas, often following livestock to capture insects and small vertebrates stirred up by their movements. Cattle Egrets stand just over 50 cm tall on relatively shorter bluish-gray legs. Nonbreeding adults are all white with yellowish bills. In breeding condition, adults develop buffy orange plumes on the head, neck, back and chest along with reddish accents on the face. Their bills turn a brighter orange-yellow during this time. Highly social, Cattle Egrets nest colonially in trees and shrubs, often near water. Males perform elaborate courtship displays before females lay 3-5 eggs. Both parents share incubation duties and later feed the chicks by regurgitation. Young fledge at about 30 days old but may still associate with parents for some time after. Originally an African species, Cattle Egrets expanded their range dramatically after accidental introductions into South America. They continue to extend northward, and are now regular but uncommon summer visitors to southern Quebec. Here they forage in agricultural fields, grazing pastures and wet meadows following large herbivores or farm machinery to capture insects and vertebrates stirred up from vegetation. Though still expanding, habitat loss on wintering grounds has caused some population declines.

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