Galapagos Great Blue Heron

This bird can be found nesting on most of the bigger islands like isabela, Santa Cruz and San Cristobal

Great blue herons, (Ardea herodias) have a wingspan of almost two meters.

It is a fierce and very efficient predator feeding mainly on marine iguanas, lava lizards and common fish.

Great blue herons are very common all over North and Central America as well as the West Indies and of course in the Galapagos, except in deserts and high mountains where there is no water.

Great Blue Heron Characteristics:

Adult herons have blue-grey wings, they are white on the top of their heads and have long black plumes above their eyes.

The Great Blue Heron is 130 cm or 4 ft tall, it has approximately 210 cm or 7 ft wingspan and weighs around 2.5 kg. The great blue heron bird is tall and its wings, neck, beak, and legs are long too.

Find Cheap Air Flights to the Galapagos Islands here

When flying the blue heron holds its head against the shoulders, and the long neck is doubled back, its long legs follow behind in a straight position. This bird flies with slow but strong wing beats.

When on land, or in the water, its walking is erect with long paces. The Galapagos great blue Heron usually can live up to 17 years.

Great Blue Heron Feeding

These birds feed on small fish or crabs, it also eats shellfish, insects, mice, frogs, reptiles, and occasionally small birds are also part of its diet.

In the Islands the Great blue heron also prey upon lizards, small land and Galapagos Marine Iguanas young birds, and young Galapagos Green Sea Turtles

Great Blue Heron Habitat:

They usually nest in colonies consisting from a dozen to a couple of hundred pairs.

Galapagos Great Blue Heron Species:

• Yellow crowned night heron (Nyctanassa violacea)
  It can be seen on Santa Cruz Island in the town of Puerto Ayora. It can also be sighted on the volcanic hills of Isabela island, where it feeds on grasshoppers and other large insects.
• Cattle egrets (Bubulcus ibis)
  These birds can be observed in most of the highlands of Galapagos.
• Lava Heron
  This is a dark gray looking bird. It can be found on the lava rocks near the seashore of some Islands in Galapagos. This is the only endemic heron in Galapagos.
• Great Egret (Casmerodius alba)
  It is a migrant and not a nesting bird in Galapagos.
• Striated heron (Ardeola striata)
  It is a bird with pale neck and breast with a black cap.

See Beautiful Galapagos Island Pictures here

Birdwatching in Galapagos is an incredible experience. Whether you are walking, sea kayaking or exploring the Galapagos Islands, take a moment to enjoy the graceful beauty of the Galapagos great blue heron.

Galapagos Recommended Reading

The Diving Guide: Galapagos Islands
The Galapagos Islands, is world renowned for adrenaline-charged diving and unique, fearless wildlife. These "Enchanted Islands" beckon both divers and non-divers from around the globe who come to dive with whale sharks and walk with giant tortoises. (This is the best diving guide I've ever read)

More About Galapagos

More Galapagos Birds

Galapagos Vacation Reviews

Galapagos Travel Information

Search This Site For More Information

Custom Search