Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)

 

Photo by BarrytheBirder

Where do Great Blue Herons migrate in winter?

Northern populations of Great Blue Herons migrate to coastal areas of the southern United States, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America, such as Venezuela and Columbia.

Many birds from Canada and the northern United States fly to warmer southern states including Florida, plus other Gulf Coast regions.

Year-round residents in the Pacific northwest, lower coastal British Columbia, south Florida, and parts of North Carolina often do not migrate and stay put year-round.

Some Great Blue Herons remain in northern areas (such as parts of Ontario and New England) if they can find pockets of open water or alternative food such as mice or other small rodents.

An all-white morph with yellowish legs in southern Florida is called the Great White Heron and was formerly called a separate species.

The large "Great Blue' is the most familiar and widespread heron in North America, flapping slowly overhead even miles from open water, or patiently standing at watersides patiently waiting to spear fish or other creatures.

Please comment if you wish.

BarrytheBirder