Canada’s wetlands, rivers, and lakes are home to a diverse range of heron species. These elegant, long-legged wading birds stalk shorelines and shallows searching for fish, frogs, and other aquatic prey. While the stately Great Blue Heron can be found coast-to-coast, other heron species have more limited ranges in Canada. The striking Yellow-crowned Night-Heron and diminutive Snowy Egret visit southern provinces in summer to breed before migrating south again for winter. Whether seen solitary and still or feeding among groups of cattle, herons never cease to impress with their patience and lightning-fast strikes. Read on to learn about the 8 heron species most commonly seen gracing Canada’s waterways.
| Heron Species | Size | Range in Canada |
|---|---|---|
| Great Blue Heron | Over 1 m tall | Widespread across Canada year-round |
| Great Egret | Over 1 m tall | Southern Ontario and Quebec in summer. Winters along Pacific and Atlantic coasts. |
| Snowy Egret | 60 cm tall | Southern Ontario and Quebec in summer. Widespread in south in winter. |
| Little Blue Heron | 61 cm tall | Southern Ontario in summer. Winters in southern U.S. |
| Green Heron | 46 cm tall | Across southern Canada. Winters along coasts and south. |
| Black-crowned Night-Heron | 61 cm tall | Southern Canada in summer. Winters along coasts and south. |
| Cattle Egret | 45-55 cm tall | Rare visitor mainly to southern Ontario. |
| Yellow-crowned Night-Heron | 61 cm tall | Southern Ontario and British Columbia in summer. Winters south. |
1. Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the most widespread and largest heron in Canada. It stands over 1 m (3.3 ft) tall with a wingspan of around 2 m (6.6 ft). Adults have an overall blue-gray plumage with a white head, a long neck, long legs, and a thick dagger-like bill. The plumage can take on a purple-blue iridescence during breeding season.
Great Blue Herons are solitary fish-eaters and can be seen stalking freshwater and intertidal habitats looking for small fish, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, and invertebrates. Their diet consists mainly of small fish like perch, minnows, sunfish, suckers, and shiners. They stalk shallow water and wait motionless for prey to come within striking range before spearing it with its bill. They also forage in grasslands or fields for rodents and other small mammals.
They nest colonially in trees near water – nests are large platforms of sticks and twigs. Females lay between 3 to 7 pale blue eggs. Both parents incubate eggs for around 28 days and tend to the chicks. Chicks are altricial and remain in nests for 2 months before fledging.
Great Blue Herons can be seen year-round throughout most of Canada from the Maritimes to British Columbia. They breed from March to May depending on latitude. Some northern populations migrate south during winter while many overwinter where open water is available.
Overall a widespread and commonly observed heron in Canada. Often seen standing silently along shorelines or wetlands patiently waiting to snatch up prey with its sharp bill.
2. Great Egret
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large white heron with plumes on the back, black legs and bill. It stands over 1 m (3.3 ft) tall with a wingspan of 1.4 m (4.6 ft). Breeding adults have ornate aigrette plumes that drape from the back and greenish-black legs and feet. Non-breeding adults have no plumes and their legs turn darker black.
The diet consists predominantly of small fish but also frogs, aquatic insects, small reptiles and mammals. They stalk prey slowly while walking through shallow water or fields. With lightning-fast reflexes, they spear prey with their long bill when in range.
They nest in tree colonies, often with other heron species, and construct platform nests of sticks and twigs. Nesting occurs from April to August and females lay between 2 to 6 pale blue eggs. Adults share incubation duties for roughly 25 days before hatching. Chicks fledge from the nest after about 6 weeks.
Great Egrets range across southern Canada during the breeding months, with most nesting colonies found in southern Ontario and Quebec. Their range expands farther north after breeding. Some populations migrate south in winter while others overwinter as far north as southern Ontario if open water persists.
This graceful white heron can be seen along streams, ponds, marshes and wetlands across southern Canada from spring through fall. Look for its slow and methodical stalking of fish and other prey in shallow water.
3. Snowy Egret
The diminutive Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) reaches just 60 cm (24 in) in height with all white plumage and black legs and bill. Adults have wispy plumes on the back, neck, and head during breeding season. Juveniles have duller plumage with dark legs.
Snowy Egrets forage mainly on small fish, aquatic invertebrates, amphibians, and occasionally rodents and insects. They use their bright yellow feet to stir up sediment and attract fish. Their diet consists predominantly of small fish like killifish, minnows, sunfish, and shiners.
They construct platform nests in small colonies in trees and shrubs near water. Breeding occurs from April to August with females laying 3 to 5 pale bluish-green eggs. Both parents incubate the eggs for approximately 3 weeks before hatching. Chicks fledge after about a month in the nest.
In Canada, Snowy Egrets breed locally in southern Ontario and Quebec, mainly near Lake Erie and the St. Lawrence River. Their range expands in late summer and fall throughout southern Canada and along the Pacific coast. Most migrate from breeding grounds in late summer or fall.
This elegant heron can be identified by its diminutive size, yellow feet, and wispy breeding plumes. Look for it feeding along vegetated shallows in wetlands, streams, and estuaries.
4. Little Blue Heron
The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is a small heron reaching 61 cm (24 in) in height with a wingspan of 94 cm (37 in). Adults have slate-blue body plumage, with a maroon-brown head and neck, and greenish legs. Immature birds are all white with pale greenish legs.
Little Blue Herons forage in shallow fresh and saltwater wetlands for small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects. They stand motionless waiting to spear prey with its bill in a lightning-fast strike.
They nest in small colonies, often with other wading birds, building platform nests in low trees or shrubs above water. Breeding occurs from April to July with females laying 3 to 5 pale blue eggs. Incubation lasts around 25 days and both parents tend to the chicks. Young fledge after about 4 weeks in the nest.
In Canada, the Little Blue Heron’s range is centered in southern Ontario where it breeds locally in small numbers. Its range expands throughout southern Ontario and Quebec after breeding, with most migrating back to the southern United States before winter. Sightings elsewhere in Canada are rare.
Look for this diminutive heron feeding along vegetated shorelines or wading in shallow wetlands. Their slate-blue plumage is distinctive. Immatures appear all white making identification more challenging.
5. Green Heron
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is a small, squat heron that reaches just 46 cm (18 in) in height with a wingspan of 66 cm (26 in). As the name suggests, it has an overall greenish coloration on the head, neck, and body with a dark green cap and chestnut colored neck. The bill is thick and dagger-like. Legs are yellowish green.
Green Herons are opportunistic feeders, consuming small fish, amphibians, reptiles, crustaceans, insects, and small mammals. They often drop bait, insects, or other objects on the water’s surface to attract fish. Prey is speared with the bill once in range.
They nest solitarily in trees, shrubs, or reeds along waterways, using a platform of sticks and twigs. Between 3 to 6 light-blue eggs are laid by the female from April to July. Incubation ranges 25 to 30 days and young fledge after about 18 days in the nest.
Green Herons breed across Southern Canada east of the Rockies from the Maritimes to British Columbia. They prefer wooded swamps, marshes, and ponds. Some northern populations migrate south in winter while southern breeders may overwinter.
This stocky heron can be identified by its greenish plumage and habit of perching low in trees and shrubs along sheltered wetlands. Watch for them standing motionless on branches above water waiting to plunge after prey.
6. Black-crowned Night-Heron
The Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a stocky heron reaching 61 cm (24 in) tall with a wingspan of 1.1 m (3.6 ft). Adults have grey-black upperparts and wings contrasting with a white underside. As the name suggests, they have a black cap and back. Bright red eyes add to their distinctive appearance. Juveniles are brown and streaky.
This crepuscular heron feeds at dawn and dusk, primarily on small fish, crustaceans, amphibians, and insects. They frequent wetlands, lakes, rivers, and intertidal areas. With quick reflexes they jab prey with their thick bill.
Dense trees or shrubs near water are used for nesting in small colonies. Females lay between 3 to 5 pale green-blue eggs from May to June. Both parents incubate eggs for approximately 25 days before hatching. Young fledge after 6 weeks.
They breed locally across southern Canada, ranging farther north after nesting. Some migrate south in winter while some southern breeders overwinter along the coast. They are found year-round in southwest British Columbia.
This stocky, short-necked heron can be identified by its black cap and grey upperparts. Look and listen for them in areas of dense vegetation near water at dawn or dusk. Their loud croaking call often gives away their presence.
7. Cattle Egret
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is an unusually adaptable heron species that associates closely with livestock and wet agricultural fields. It reaches 45 to 55 cm (18-22 in) in height with a stocky body and short neck. Plumage is all white with a yellow-orange bill and legs. Breeding adults develop a buffy reddish crown, breast, and back.
They forage predominantly on land, consuming insects, other arthropods, amphibians, and reptiles stirred up by grazing livestock or machinery. They may also forage along shorelines for aquatic prey. With quick jabs, they catch prey with their bill.
Cattle Egrets nest colonially in trees, often mixed in with other heron colonies. Between 2 to 5 pale bluish-green eggs are laid from May to July. Both parents share incubation duties for around 23 days before hatching. Young fledge after about 4 weeks in the nest.
In Canada, Cattle Egrets are a rare but growing visitor mainly in southern Ontario. They migrate northward after breeding farther south in the spring and return south in late summer and fall. Their association with livestock means they may wander far from their core range as agriculture expands northward.
Watch for this distinctive heron among livestock in agricultural fields or along shorelines. They are social birds, often feeding in groups. Their white plumage and habit of following animals makes them easy to identify.
8. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is a medium-sized heron reaching 61 cm (24 in) tall with a slender body and thick neck. Adults have a striking black, white and bluish-gray pattern with yellow plumes on the head. Immature birds are streaky brown and tan with white spots.
These nocturnal herons feed predominately on crustaceans, especially crabs and crayfish. They also prey on small fish, frogs, aquatic insects, and sometimes small rodents. They frequent wetlands, marshes, estuaries and shorelines when foraging.
Dense trees or thick vegetation near water are used for nesting. Females lay 3 to 5 eggs and both parents incubate them for approximately 28 days before hatching. Young fledge after about 5 weeks in the nest.
In Canada, the Yellow-crowned Night-Heron breeds locally in southern Ontario and southwestern British Columbia. It has expanded its range northward in recent decades. Most migrate from breeding areas in late summer and fall.
This handsome heron can be identified by its striking black, gray, and white plumage and long yellow crown plumes. Listen and look for them near water at dawn or dusk when they are most active. Their loud, gulping squawk often reveals their presence.