Minnesota’s wetlands and lakes are home to several fascinating heron species, each with unique characteristics and behaviors.
From the towering Great Blue Heron to the smaller Green Heron, these elegant birds can be spotted throughout the state’s diverse aquatic habitats.
Minnesota hosts at least 8 different species of herons, including the Great Blue Heron, Great Egret, Green Heron, Black-crowned Night-Heron, and occasionally the rare Little Blue Heron.
Bird enthusiasts visiting Minnesota between spring and fall will find excellent opportunities to observe these graceful wading birds.
The Great Blue Heron stands as the most common and recognizable with its impressive size and blue-gray plumage, while the stark white Great Egret creates a striking contrast against the green marshes.
Though less common, the Black-crowned Night-Heron offers a special treat for patient observers willing to venture out during dusk or dawn hours when these nocturnal hunters become active.
Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is the largest heron found in Minnesota.
Standing about 4 feet tall with a 6-foot wingspan, this majestic bird is easily recognized by its bluish-gray body, white face, and black plume extending from above its eyes.
These herons have a distinctive S-shaped neck and long, dagger-like yellow-orange bill.
Their shaggy appearance comes from elongated feathers on their head, chest, and wings.
Great Blue Herons arrive in Minnesota in early spring and can be found throughout the state near lakes, rivers, and wetlands.
They are patient hunters, standing motionless in shallow water before striking quickly to catch fish, frogs, and other small prey.
Nesting Habits:
- Build large stick nests in trees
- Nest in colonies called rookeries
- Sometimes nest with other heron species
- May use the same rookery for many years
During breeding season, their necks and legs turn a richer color, and they develop longer plumes.
Males collect sticks for females to build nests, which can measure up to 4 feet across.
While most migrate south for winter, some hardy individuals may remain in Minnesota where open water persists.
These year-round residents are rare but occasionally spotted during winter months.
The call of a Great Blue Heron is a harsh, croaking sound typically heard when disturbed or during territorial disputes.
They’re mostly silent when hunting, relying on stealth to capture prey.
Great Egret
The Great Egret (Ardea alba) is a large, elegant wading bird with pure white plumage.
Standing about 3 feet tall with a wingspan of nearly 5 feet, this impressive bird is easily recognized by its long, slender neck, black legs, and yellow bill.
Despite its name, the Great Egret is actually a heron, not a true egret.
It belongs to the family Ardeidae and serves as the symbol for the National Audubon Society.
In Minnesota, Great Egrets are seasonal residents, arriving in spring and departing in fall.
They prefer shallow wetlands, marshes, ponds, and lake edges where they can hunt for food.
Diet & Hunting Behavior:
- Small fish
- Frogs and amphibians
- Aquatic insects
- Small mammals and reptiles
These skilled hunters stand motionless in shallow water, waiting patiently before striking with lightning speed to catch prey with their sharp bills.
Great Egrets nest in colonies, often sharing nesting sites with other herons and ibis.
They build platform nests of sticks in trees or shrubs, typically near water.
During breeding season, Great Egrets grow long, wispy plumes called aigrettes that extend beyond their tails.
These decorative feathers once made them targets for the fashion industry, nearly leading to their extinction in the early 20th century.
Conservation efforts have helped Great Egret populations recover.
While not as common as the Great Blue Heron in Minnesota, they are now regularly seen throughout the state’s wetland areas during summer months, particularly in central and southern regions.
Snowy Egret
The Snowy Egret (Egretta thula) is a striking medium-sized heron with distinctive features that help identify it in Minnesota’s wetlands.
This elegant bird stands out with its pure white plumage, black bill, and black legs that end in bright yellow feet.
Between the eye and bill, the lores appear bright yellow normally but can flush reddish during breeding season.
Breeding adults develop beautiful, wispy plumes that they display during courtship rituals.
In Minnesota, the Snowy Egret is less common than other heron species.
It nests in large, multi-species rookeries primarily composed of Great Blue Herons, Great Egrets, and Black-crowned Night-Herons.
Key Identification Features:
- All-white plumage
- Black bill (different from similar Great Egret’s yellow bill)
- Black legs with yellow feet (often called “golden slippers”)
- Medium size (smaller than Great Egret)
- Graceful appearance with slender bill
The breeding behavior of Snowy Egrets follows typical heron patterns, often enhanced by their elegant nuptial plumes during displays.
These displays help attract mates in the breeding colonies.
Birdwatchers in Minnesota should look for Snowy Egrets in shallow wetlands, marshes, and along the edges of lakes and ponds.
Their hunting style is active and distinctive, as they often run through shallow water to flush prey.
Little Blue Heron
The Little Blue Heron (Egretta caerulea) is a small, darkly colored heron that occasionally visits Minnesota.
Adult birds have a distinctive appearance with a rich purple-maroon head and neck and dark slaty-blue body.
This coloration makes them relatively easy to identify among other herons in the state.
Young Little Blue Herons look completely different from adults.
Immature birds are actually white, not blue, which can cause confusion with other white heron species.
This species has an interesting history in Minnesota. It was once a breeding bird in the state from 1971 to 1981, but is now considered a summer vagrant and migration visitor.
Sightings in Minnesota are considered rare events for birdwatchers.
Little Blue Herons are generally wary birds that can be difficult to approach.
They tend to be more secretive than some other heron species found in Minnesota.
When nesting, these herons form colonies, sometimes exclusively with their own kind.
In mixed heron colonies, they typically nest along the edges rather than in the center.
Birdwatchers in Minnesota should watch for this species in wetland habitats, particularly during migration periods.
The best identification features include:
- Small size (compared to Great Blue Heron)
- Dark blue-gray plumage (adults)
- All-white plumage (juveniles)
- Two-toned bill
- Distinctive purple-maroon head and neck (adults)
Green Heron
The Green Heron (Butorides virescens) is an uncommon species in Minnesota, appearing as a regular breeding resident and migrant.
These birds typically arrive in spring and depart by fall as they cannot tolerate Minnesota’s cold winters.
Green Herons are short and stocky compared to other herons, with relatively short legs and thick necks often held close against their bodies.
They measure about 18 inches in length, making them quite compact for a heron.
These birds hold the distinction of being the second-smallest heron species in North America, with only the Least Bittern being smaller.
Despite their name, their coloration can appear quite dark when they’re hidden in vegetation.
Green Herons display remarkable intelligence among birds. They are known to use tools—dropping items like twigs or insects on the water’s surface to attract fish.
Physical Characteristics:
- Length: 18 inches
- Color: Dull greenish back and wings (can appear darker)
- Neck: Chestnut-colored, often held in an S-shaped curve
- Bill: Dark and pointed
- Legs: Yellow to orange
The Green Heron belongs to a complex of small herons that are sometimes considered a single species called Green-backed Heron.
When classified separately, our Minnesota visitor retains the Green Heron name.
In Minnesota, these herons prefer secluded wetlands with dense vegetation, including woodland ponds, lake edges, and slow-moving streams.
Black-Crowned Night-Heron
The Black-crowned Night-Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) is a stocky, medium-sized wading bird found in Minnesota’s wetlands.
Adults are easily identified by their distinctive black cap and back, contrasting with light gray wings and white underparts. They have striking red eyes and short yellow legs.
These herons are unique among Minnesota’s water birds because they’re primarily nocturnal.
As their name suggests, they do most of their hunting from dusk until dawn. During daylight hours, they often rest in trees near water.
Physical Characteristics:
- Length: 23-28 inches
- Wingspan: 45-46 inches
- Weight: 1.5-2.2 pounds
- Thick neck usually tucked in
- Heavy, pointed bill
Juvenile birds look quite different from adults. They are brown and streaky with a mottled appearance that provides excellent camouflage among reeds and branches.
The Black-crowned Night-Heron is a colonial waterbird, meaning it nests in communities.
These colonies are often mixed with other heron species, egrets, and sometimes even Franklin’s Gulls.
Their diet consists mainly of fish, but they also eat amphibians, insects, small mammals, and even the young of other birds.
They hunt by standing still at the water’s edge and striking quickly when prey comes near.
In Minnesota, these herons typically arrive in spring and stay through summer.
Their distinctive “quawk” call can be heard near wetlands, especially at dusk as they become active.
Yellow-Crowned Night-Heron
The Yellow-crowned Night-Heron (Nyctanassa violacea) is a fairly small heron with a stocky body.
It has a distinctive appearance with a short, thick neck and legs, and a large, blocky head.
Adult Yellow-crowned Night-Herons display a bold black-and-white head pattern with a pale yellow or whitish crown that gives them their name.
Their body is primarily gray, creating an elegant contrast with their striking head.
Unlike many other herons, this species is more solitary and often secretive in its habits.
They are less commonly seen than their relatives, the Black-crowned Night-Herons.
Yellow-crowned Night-Herons are semi-nocturnal birds, often feeding at night.
They have specialized diets, with a particular preference for crabs and other crustaceans.
In Minnesota, these herons are considered rare visitors, appearing much less frequently than other heron species.
Birdwatchers consider spotting one to be a special event. During the day, these herons typically roost in trees, remaining quiet and often going unnoticed despite their distinctive appearance.
Key Identification Features:
- Bold black-and-white head pattern
- Yellowish crown on adults
- Gray body
- Red eyes
- Stocky build compared to other herons
These birds inhabit freshwater and coastal regions throughout North and South America, though they’re near the northern edge of their range in Minnesota.
Cattle Egret
The Cattle Egret (Bubulcus ibis) is a small, compact heron species that can be found in Minnesota, though it’s not as common as other herons in the state.
Compared to other herons, Cattle Egrets have shorter legs and thicker necks, giving them a more stocky appearance.
These birds are highly social creatures. They are known for being gregarious year-round and often nest in colonies with other heron species.
Their nesting typically begins about three weeks later than other herons in the same colony.
Cattle Egrets belong to the genus Bubulcus, which distinguishes them from typical herons and egrets in the Ardeinae subfamily.
The scientific classification places them in their own distinct group.
Unlike other herons that hunt in wetlands, Cattle Egrets prefer to follow grazing animals in fields.
They feed on insects stirred up by livestock, which is how they earned their name.
This behavior represents a unique ecological adaptation among Minnesota’s heron species.
Population studies have shown concerning trends for these birds.
The Cattle Egret populations have experienced declines in recent years, similar to several other heron species in the region.
In Minnesota, Cattle Egrets typically arrive later in spring than other herons and may be spotted in agricultural areas where livestock graze.
Birdwatchers can identify them by their smaller size and their habit of following cattle or other large mammals.
