Galapagos Great Blue Heron

The Galapagos great blue heron is the largest of the Galapagos herons and 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.

galapagos great blue heron

Great Blue Heron Characteristics:

Great blue herons in Galapagos have blue-gray feathers on most of its body and a plume of feathers on its chest and back.

It also has a long yellow beak and funny long legs. Click here to request Free Galapagos Brochures

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.

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, it walks erect with long paces. The Galapagos great blue Heron usually can live up to 17 years.

Great Blue Heron Feeding

The Galapagos great blue heron looks for food constantly during the day and night. It feeds mostly in calm freshwater and along seacoasts.

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 island turtles

Great Blue Heron Habitat:

The blue heron's habitat is always near the water. That's why it is commonly seen by lakes, in marine environments near the coast, rivers, lakes, road ditches, mangroves, swamps, streams and in general in freshwater habitats.

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

Galapagos Great Blue Heron Species:

In the Galapagos Islands we find five species of herons, several of these species are similar to the ones in North America. These species are:

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.

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.

More About Galapagos:

Galapagos Recommended Reading

An Identification Guide to the Birds, Mammals, and Reptiles of the Galapagos Islands
This is the most comprehensive guide to the unique wildlife of the Galapagos, good descriptions of its extraordinary birds including the Galapagos great blue heron, mammals, and reptiles. (Highly recommended)

Wildlife of the Galapagos (Princeton Illustrated Checklists)
Wildlife of the Galapagos is the most superbly illustrated and comprehensive identification guide ever to the natural splendor of these incomparable islands.

It really reveals the archipelago's striking beauty. (A well-written, informative text).

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