In North America, Quebec has been home to seven of the 17 species of herons that are common. There are five more that are uncommon or happen by chance. This guide enables you to recognize and understand these long-legged birds.
Herons, which may be found at sea, at freshwater, and even peering into your backyard pond for a quick meal, are water-loving birds.
Nonetheless, many of your fish herons are protected, thus a net is the best option if you’re having trouble with them.
Herons are often found nesting in large colonies known as heronries, but they prefer to hunt on their own by remaining absolutely still and allowing the prey to approach them.
A collection of herons is known by a variety of terms, including “rookery,” “battery,” “hedge,” and even the intriguing term “siege.
You should learn more about the ducks, swans, and pelicans you may see in Quebec if you enjoy seeing waterbirds.
12 Species Of Heron In Quebec
1. Great Blue Heron
During the breeding season, Great Blue Herons are most commonly seen in Quebec’s southwest and along its shore. Summer checklists submitted by birdwatchers in the province identify them at a rate of 19%.
The Great Blue Heron is the biggest heron native to North America, and it is a big bird.
From the front of their eyes to the back of their heads, they have a white face with a black crest or plume. Yellow-orangish bills cover their bodies.
Their bodies are grayish-blue, and their legs are long and grayish-blue. Their necks are long and grayish-blue, with black and white streaking in the front.
- Ardea herodias
- Length: 46 – 52 in (117 – 132 cm)
- Weight: 128 oz (3628 g)
- Wingspan: 77 – 82 in (196 – 208 cm)
Most US states have Great Blue Herons that stay throughout the year, but those who breed in the Mid-West and Canada go south.
In Florida, the Great Blue Heron is divided into two subspecies: the Great White Heron and the White morph.
Great Blue Herons may be found in a variety of wetlands. Fresh and saltwater marshes, mangrove swamps, flooded marshes, lake edges, and shorelines are all possible habitats for them.
Fish, frogs, salamanders, shrimps, crabs, dragonflies, grasshoppers, and other aquatic insects make up the majority of Great Blue Herons’ diets.
When wading or standing in water, they capture their prey. They may dive into the water, jump feet-first from perches, or float on the water’s surface. They can also hover above it and dive into it.
Great Blue Heron colonies are found high in trees near water, where they build nests. Twigs and sticks are used to create the nests, which are lined with softer material.
Since Great Blue Herons reuse their nests, the nests may expand in size over time as they are repaired and expanded.
After that, the female will lay two to seven eggs. Over the course of four weeks, both parents alternate incubating the eggs.
Fun Fact: With their heads thrown back, Great Blue Herons defend their feeding territory with stunning spread-wing demonstrations.
2. Great Egret
Great Egrets are seen in 3% of summer checklists and breed in Quebec mostly in the southwest province. They migrate in November after arriving in mid-March.
Males have neon green facial skin and long, wispy feathers (aigrettes) extending from their backs to their tails during courtship, similar to how a peacock flashes out its tail. Great Egrets are at their best during the breeding season.
They’re called Great White Herons because they’re huge, all-white herons. Common egrets are another name for them. White with dagger-like, long, bright yellow beaks and lengthy, black legs and feet, these massive birds are imposing.
Males, females, and juvenile Non-breeding birds have the same appearance.
- Ardea alba
- Length: 37 – 41 in (94 – 104cm)
- Weight: 59.96 oz (1699 g)
- Wingspan: 54 – 55 in (137 – 140 cm)
The range of Great Egrets stretches across the globe. Those in the southern and coastal United States stay throughout the year, while those farther inland Canada go south.
Great Egrets may be found in fish ponds as well as fresh and saltwater marshes and tidal flats.
Fish, frogs, small mammals, crustaceans, and insects make up the majority of the diet of Great Egrets. Great Egrets, which stand motionless on the water waiting and scouting for their prey, then strike and spears it with their long bills, may be seen doing so.
Great Egret colonies are home to their nests. To keep the nests safe from predators like raccoons, they are often placed high up in trees, preferably on islands.
They are made of sticks, twigs, and stems of marsh plants. The females lay up to six eggs, and incubation by both parents is done for around twenty-five days.
Marsh plant sticks, twigs, and stems are used to make them. Both parents care for the eggs, which are laid by the females and take around twenty-five days to hatch.
Fun Fact: Because of its long white feathers (aigrettes), the Great Egret was almost hunted to extinction.
3. Black-crowned Night-Heron
From April to October, black-crowned night-herons breed in southwest Quebec and make up 4% of summer checklists.
The typical image of a heron family member does not apply to Black-crowned Night-Herons, also known as Night Herons. It has a shorter beak, neck, and legs than the other species.
The black caps of adult Black-crowned Night-herons extend from a white line above their black bills.
The lores (in front of the eye, towards the beak) are green-blue, and their eyes are red. On the back, they are darker and have a white underbelly. Yellow is the hue of their legs and feet.
Adults are a drab grayish-brown with streaks and spots. Juveniles are duller.
- Nycticorax nycticorax
- Length: 25 – 28 in (64 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 38.8 oz (1100 g)
- Wingspan: 44 – 45 in (112 – 114 cm)
The worldwide range of Black-crowned Night-herons is enormous. Before going south, they breed in the United States and Canada. Others may be seen year-round on the beaches.
In wetland environments such as shallow freshwater or brackish rivers, you may see Black-crowned Night-herons. Artificial habitats like reservoirs, canals, and fish ponds are also utilized to utilize them.
Night-feeders such as crayfish and fish, as well as turtles and worms, are fed to Black-crowned Night-herons.
Male Black-crowned Night-herons begin building nests in bushes or trees in preparation for selecting their mates.
The female will then deposit up to seven eggs every two days. For approximately twenty-four days, both parents begin to incubate the eggs after they are deposited. For roughly three weeks, the parents will be responsible for their child.
Fun Fact: For more than a century, the National Zoo in Washington, DC has housed a colony of Black-crowned Night-herons during the summer.
4. American Bittern
A total of 4% of summer checklists include American Bitterns during the breeding season in southern Quebec. They arrive in March and leave in October to migrate.
Long before you see them, you might hear the odd watery boom calls of the American Bittern in the spring. Here are a couple of them to check out:
The Heron family includes American Bitterns, which are chunky, medium-sized birds.
Because of their brown stripe and speckled patterning, they resemble the reeds they’re hiding in, and their ability to remain motionless amid the reeds with their head tilted up.
They have small legs and yellow eyes that turn orange during mating.
- Botaurus lentiginosus
- Length: 23 in (58 cm)
- Weight: 25.6 oz (726 g)
- Wingspan: 42 – 50 in (107 – 127 cm)
Before migrating to the Gulf Coast and Mexico, American Bitterns breed in Canada and northern US states.
Shallow, freshwater marshes and wetlands with tall reeds are home to American Bitterns.
To find them, look for them near the margins of lakes and ponds amid the rough vegetation.
Fish, crustaceans, insects, amphibians, and small mammals make up the diet of American Bitterns. They wait quietly and still in the reeds, waiting for their prey to approach before darting forward quickly to capture them in their bills.
American Bittern Calls: Listen to their strange watery boom calls. One of the most unusual bird cries out there.
Watery nests of American Bitterns may be discovered amid rough vegetation in the dense vegetation. Females choose a nest location and prepare it themselves using available reeds, sedges, cattails, and other plants.
They produce around twenty-six days of eggs, which are incubated. The females feed the chicks straight into their beaks when they are born. They fled the nest after two weeks and are fully-fledged in six to seven weeks.
Fun Fact: Similar to the reeds that conceal them, American Bitterns raise their heads upwards and swing gently from side to side.
5. Green Heron
From April to October, Green Herons breed in Quebec’s southwest, where they can be seen. Summer checklists include them in 2% of the time.
The glossy green-black color of the crowns, crests, backs, and wings of Green Herons earns them the name “Green Herons,” but when seen from a distance, they appear slouched and gloomy.
During breeding season, their bills turn black, with two-toned dark on top and yellow at the bottom. Their irises and legs change color as well, from yellow to orange.
Chestnut or maroon are the colors of their heads, necks, and breasts. The front length of their neck has a white central stripe. Gray is the color of their bellies.
Browner and with a greater crest than adults, juveniles have browner caps.
- Butorides virescens
- Length: 18 – 22 in (46 – 56 cm)
- Weight: 9.17 oz (260 g)
- Wingspan: 25 – 26 in (64 – 66 cm)
Before migrating south, Green Herons breed mostly in the eastern US and Pacific Coast states. The Gulf Coast, the Caribbean, and Mexico, on the other hand, are permanent.
Green Herons may be found in damp environments with deep vegetation, such as marshes, bogs, lakes, and ponds. These animals may dwell in dry woods or orchards if there are water resources nearby, but they prefer coastal and inland wetlands.
Little fish, insects, spiders, crustaceans, snails, amphibians, reptiles, and rodents make up Green Herons’ diet. Rather of wading, they commonly hunt from shore by perched on sticks over the water.
Green Heron nests are built in high trees over water, but they may also be placed on the ground, hidden under shrubs. They’re created of long, thin twigs.
Females lay two-day intervals of six eggs. The final egg is laid and incubation by both parents begins around twenty days later. When their eggs hatch, they both give their newborns food.
Fun Facts: Bait, such as bread, feathers, twigs, and leaves are used by green herons to catch their food. (Davis and Kushlan, 1994) This is one of the few bird species that do so.
6. Least Bittern
During the breeding season, from April to October, Least Bitterns can be found in southwestern Quebec, around Montreal.
In the reeds, you may hear the Least Bitterns first, which are the smallest herons in North America.
With a black hat and yellow beak, they are brown and white hues. They grip the reeds with their claws and long toes.
Females and juveniles have lighter backs and crowns than males, but they are similar.
- Ixobrychus exilis
- Length: 11 – 14 in (28 – 36 cm)
- Weight: 3 oz (85 g)
- Wingspan: 16 – 18 in (41 – 46 cm)
Little Bitterns are found throughout Europe and Africa, but they may visit North America on occasion.
Least Bitterns may be found in moist water and brackish marshlands with plenty of tall cattails and reeds. When they perch on reeds, look for them.
They’ll instantly freeze up, raise their bills to the sky, and sway in time with the reeds when they sense danger.
Little fish, frogs, tadpoles, salamanders, slugs, dragonflies, aquatic bugs, and even mice are part of the diet of Least Bitterns. They situate themselves on the reeds and do acrobatic contortions to reach their prey, which is sometimes just inches away.
The female of the Least Bitterns creates well-concealed platforms from cattails and marsh vegetation. For around twenty days, both parents incubate the eggs, which she lays up to seven. They then regurgitate food to feed newly hatched chicks.
Fun Fact: Long necks give the Least Bitterns a hunchbacked appearance.
7. Little Blue Heron
While migrating in the province of Quebec, little blue herons have been spotted on rare occasions, but there have been a few reports.
Little Blue Herons aren’t the smallest species around. Their bodies are long and slender, with medium to large sizes. They have dangling feathers across their nape, and their heads and necks are purple.
During the breeding season, their eyes can turn gray-green, which is a light yellow color. Their two-toned beaks are long and dagger-like, with black tips. Slate-blue is the color of their skin. They have long, black to gray-green legs.
Before becoming a mix of dark gray, blue, and white, juvenile Little Blue Herons are totally white throughout their first year.
- Egretta caerulea
- Length: 24 – 29 in (61 – 74 cm)
- Weight: 16.22 oz (460 g)
- Wingspan: 40 – 41 in (102 – 104 cm)
Little Blue Herons breed in the eastern United States before heading south, but those in the Gulf Coast and Mexico stay year-round.
In comparison to other herons, Little Blue Herons forage in a more graceful manner. They simply stand and wait in shallow waters for their prey instead of dashing about across the water.
Fish, frogs, snakes, turtles, spiders, crustaceans, mice, and insects are among the foods that Little Blue Herons consume. Adults prefer to forage alone, whereas juveniles prefer to be in mixed groups.
Little Blue Heron nests are constructed of sticks and, like other heron species, are found in colonies. Up to six eggs are laid by the female. For up to twenty-four days, both parents are involved in the incubation.
Fun Fact: Juvenile Little Blue Herons’ presence among Snowy Egrets allows them to capture more fish and offer additional protection against predators, hence the white coloring.
8. Cattle Egret
In Quebec, Cattle Egrets are considered a uncommon or accidental species, although they have been seen during migration in the province’s southwest.
Cattle Egrets use a clever method of capturing their prey…they stand on the backs of cattle, catching the moving prey as they move and disrupt the soil.
Cattle Egrets have white bodies and light orange-brown patches on their heads, necks, and backs. They are tiny, short-necked egrets.
Their eyes and cheeks are yellow in color. Their bills are small, and their legs are greenish-black. Males and femen look identical.
Throughout the breeding season, Cattle Egrets turn brighter and change color, particularly on their legs and face.
Their faint orange patches become deeper orange during the breeding season. At the height of their courting, their bills, legs, and irises become bright red, and their facial skin (lores) becomes pinkish-red.
- Bubulcus ibis
- Length: 19 – 21 in (48 – 53 cm)
- Weight: 17.98 oz (510 g)
- Wingspan: 36 – 38 in (91 – 97 cm)
Cattle Egrets may be found across the globe, however those in Mexico, the Gulf Coast, and southern US states remain year-round.
Those that breed further north, however, migrate south after breeding and are mostly found in eastern US states.
In particular, where there is hoofed livestock, you may see Cattle Egrets in native grasslands, pastures, crop fields, and rice fields.
They do venture into the edges of aquatic environments, such as riverbanks, ponds, and shallow marshes, despite their preference to remain on land and atop cattle. Golf courses, lawns, athletic fields, dumps, and parks are also common places for them to be seen.
Insects, primarily grasshoppers, crickets, flies, beetles, and moths make up the diet of Cattle Egrets. Spiders, frogs, small snakes, lizards, earthworms, and fish are among the other foods they consume.
Cattle Egret nests are frequently created in woodlands near lakes or rivers, in marshes, or on tiny islands. They are made of sticks and reeds and are usually created in colonies.
Females lay up to nine eggs, which take approximately twenty-five days to hatch. The juvenile takes around 45 days to grow, fledge, and fully emancipate themselves from their parents.
Fun Fact: The Cattle Egret’s eyes have evolved to forage on land with binocular vision instead of correcting for light refraction when feeding in water.
9. Snowy Egret
In Quebec, snowy egrets are considered a uncommon or unintentional species, however during the breeding season, particularly near Montreal and Quebec City, there have been reports.
Little, all-white herons named snowy egrets, as the name suggests. Their irises are yellow, and their skin is around their eyes is long, black. Their beaks are lengthy, black, and their feet are bright yellow.
Long, lacy feathers grow on their heads, necks, and backs during the breeding season. During courting, their lores or face skin become reddish-pink, and their toes turn orange-red.
Interestingly, during aggressive encounters, these regions of their bodies become vivid red.
Adults have head plumes, but juveniles do not. Lores and legs are more greenish-yellow, and the colors on their bills and legs are lighter.
- Egretta thula
- Length: 22 – 27 in (56 -69 cm)
- Weight: 16.75 oz (475 g)
- Wingspan: 39.4 in (100 cm)
Except for the Gulf Coast and the southwest coast, snowy egrets migrate across most of the United States. They can be found throughout Mexico, Central America, and South America all year.
Snowy Egrets may be found in marshes, riverbanks, lakesides, pools, salt marshes, and estuaries. They prefer shallow and wetland environments. Swamp forests with protective trees and shrubs are preferred for nesting.
Fish, crustaceans, snails, frogs, and crayfish are among the foods of snowy egrets in shallow water. They may rest quietly until prey comes to them or, alternatively, they may agitate the water to bring their food to the surface.
Snowy Egret males pick their nests. They choose a spot and parade around in full view of their prospective mates. The males continue to offer sticks, sedges, or reeds when they pair up, while the females create the nest.
Nests are often found on trees or in shrubs on the ground, hidden. Both parents incubate their eggs, which the female lays two to six eggs. The incubation period is usually twenty-four days.
Fun Fact: Because of their beautiful white head feathers, snowy egrets were on the verge of extinction. They were nearly hunted down because they were such a great addition to women’s hats.
10. Tricolored Heron
In Quebec, Tricolored Herons are an uncommon sight, but they were discovered in the Sentier de la Nature reserve in 2022.
The white belly and neck stripe of Tricolored Herons distinguishes them from other herons.
Adults that are non-breeding have blue-gray, purple, and white feathers in their plumage. Their tips are black and their bills are yellowish or greyish. Yellow or olive green are the colors of their legs and feet.
The back of the head of breeding adults is also covered with thin, white feathers, and the beak develops a blue coloration. Their necks and backs have finer feathers as well. Their legs turn a reddish color as well.
The neck, upper breasts, upper back, and wings of juveniles are more reddish-brown in color.
- Egretta tricolor
- Length: 24 – 26 in (61 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 14.6 oz (414 g)
- Wingspan: 36 in (91 cm)
The Gulf Coast, Mexico, and northern South America are home to tricolored herons all year. Those who breed farther north migrate south along the Atlantic Coast.
Tricolored Herons may be found in freshwater and brackish marshes, as well as coastal tidal pools and swamps.
Tricolored Herons defend their feeding areas against solitary feeders. Other wading birds that want to eat little fish, frogs, crustaceans, and insects will be chased away from their area. They will feed on their own territory.
stalking, chasing, standing, and waiting for their victim are all common behaviors. Before striking, they crouch low in the water with their bellies touching the surface and their necks drawn in.
Tricolored Heron nests are constructed of sticks and may be seen in groups in trees and shrubs. The female lays three to five eggs, with both parents involved in the incubation process, which takes three weeks before they emerge. They likewise provide food for the kids.
Fun Fact: The only dark-colored heron with a white belly, the Tricolored Heron was formerly known as the Louisiana Heron.
11. Yellow-crowned Night-Heron
In Quebec, the yellow-crowned night-heron is an accidental species. In the state, they are very uncommon, but in 2022, there have been reports of them around Montreal.
Yellow crowns with two plumes extend from the heads of adult Yellow-crowned Night Herons. They have enormous, black bills. Their remainder of the heads are black, with a little white patch on each side of their faces.
As they grew up, their eyes became red, alternating between yellow, orange and red.
Their wings have a scaled pattern and are gray-blue in color. During the breeding season, their legs grow longer and turn coral, pink, or red.
Grayish-brown in color with white streaks and spots, juveniles become brownish-black. It takes three years for them to mature.
- Nyctanassa violacea
- Length: 22 – 28 in (56 – 71 cm)
- Weight: 25.6 oz ( 726 g)
- Wingspan: 42 0 44 in (107 – 112 cm)
Before migrating south, Yellow-crowned Night-herons breed primarily in southern states. They may be found in Mexico, the Caribbean, and northern South America throughout the year.
In coastal areas with a high concentration of crustaceans, shallow waters, and significant edges where to feed, you may see Yellow-crowned Night-herons at day and dusk.
Crustaceans like crabs and crayfish make up the majority of the Yellow-crowned Night-heron’s diet. Fish, insects, worms, mollusks, lizards, snakes, rodents, and birds are among the other foods they consume. Little prey is devoured instantly by them.
Crabs are frequently dismembered and stabbed in the body.
Yellow-crowned Night-herons nest in small, loose colonies, and they always nest near water. Both parents construct the nests using soft sticks and twigs made nice with grass, leaves, or moss.
They then incubate up to eight eggs for about three weeks together. Chicks are fed by regurgitation after they hatch. They fledge after around a month and can fly on their own at fifty days.
Fun Fact: The eastern equine encephalomyelitis (EEE) virus, which can kill horses and people, is carried by yellow-crowned night-herons.
12. Little Egret
In Quebec, Little Egrets are considered an unintentional species, and they were last seen around Port-Menier in 2021, according to records.
Little Egrets have a completely white body. They have yellow eyes, a long, thin neck, black beaks, and yellow lores (facial skin). They also have long black legs and toes.
Dark morphs have a bluish-gray color instead of white, which makes them particularly interesting.
Juveniles are more grayish/brownish than adults, and their legs and feet are duller yellow. They have greenish-black legs and feet.
- Egretta garzetta
- Length: 22 – 26 in (56 – 66 cm)
- Weight: 17.6 oz (499 g)
- Wingspan: 34 – 41 in (86 – 104 cm)
Little Egrets are regular visitors to Europe, Asia, and Africa, but they are also seen in the United States and Canada.
Little Egrets may be located in lakeshores, riverbanks, ponds, lagoons, marshes, and canals; however they may also hunt in fish ponds.
Little Egrets either wait for fish to come or stir up the water in order to scare them out as their main diet.
Little Egret nests are usually found in reed beds or mangroves, and are made of platform sticks built high up in the trees or shrubs. Females do the construction, while males usually find and carry the materials for it.
For around three weeks, both parents incubate the female’s eggs, which she lays up to six. For about two weeks, both parents look after their children. After six weeks, they fledge.
Fun Fact: Because of the popularity for feathers for fashion at the time, Little Egrets were once declared extinct in Ireland and Great Britain due to overhunting.
How Frequently Herons Are Spotted In Quebec In Summer And Winter
Checklists can be used to identify which birds are most often seen in your area. In the summer and winter in Quebec, these tables show which herons are most frequently seen on checklists.
Herons in Quebec in summer:
Great Blue Heron 19.1%
American Bittern 4.7%
Black-crowned Night-Heron 4.4%
Great Egret 3.4%
Green Heron 2.7%
Least Bittern 0.9%
Tricolored Heron 0.1%
Snowy Egret 0.1%
Little Blue Heron 0.1%
Yellow-crowned Night-Heron <0.1%
Little Egret <0.1%
Cattle Egret <0.1%
Herons in Quebec in winter:
Great Blue Heron 0.6%
Great Egret <0.1%
Black-crowned Night-Heron <0.1%
American Bittern <0.1%
Cattle Egret <0.1%