Types of Herons in Colorado

Great Blue Heron

• The great blue heron is the largest heron in Colorado, standing up to 4 feet tall. The great blue heron has grey and blue plumage, with a white and black face. They primarily eat fish, but also consume mice, insects and other small animals. great blue herons hunt in solitude but nest in large communities. They are one of the most abundant species of heron in Colorado and North America as a whole.

Little Blue Heron

• The little blue heron is a medium-sized heron, standing two feet tall. It has blue feathers with a maroon colored head and neck. They eat a wide variety of animals, from fish to reptiles. Little blue herons follow farmers plowing fields, eating insects that pop up from the crops. These herons are not common in Colorado, but can be seen on the along the eastern border of the state.

Yellow-Crowned Night Heron

• Yellow-crowned night herons are small herons with long legs and short necks. They are identified by their black face, white cheeks, yellow crown and gray body. Yellow-crowned night herons are nocturnal and feed primarily on insects, but eat a variety of foods including lizards, mice, rabbits and leeches. They live mostly in the Gulf of Mexico, but appear in the east side of Colorado during the summer mating season.

Black-Crowned Night Heron

• Black-crowned night herons are the most widespread heron worldwide, found on five continents. They have a stocky appearance similar to their yellow-crowned cousin but sport a black crown and back with gray wings. They can be found all over Colorado throughout the summer season. Black-crowned night herons are known to throw up their food up when they are disturbed.

Green Heron

• The green heron is a short stocky heron with green plumage on its head and wings with a brown underbelly. It is one only a few birds that use tools, often using baits such as bread and insects to attract its prey.Similar to to the little blue heron, green herons can only be found on the eastern edge of Colorado.