Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Construction Difficulty

complex difficulty complex

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Nesting Range

Great Blue Heron Range
Source: Birds of the World

Nesting Habitat

  •  icon Lake
  •  icon Marsh
  •  icon Shore

Attach Nest Box To

  • Post icon Post

Known Nesting Period

Not Nesting
Some Nesting Occurrence
Nesting in Most of Range
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Source: Birds of the World

Nest Box Placement

Height Range From Ground

0ft
30ft
0–30 feet

Spacing Between Nest Boxes

10 feet

Facing

Entrance hole facing visualization
Toward Water

Helpful Tips

  • Up to three nest platforms can be placed on each pole, spaced about 4' apart and staggered at 180-degree intervals.
  • Place the highest platform at the top of the post.
  • Place a few branches on the platform.
  • Choose a location near an existing colony with clay soils where water depth is not more than 4.5' deep.
  • Plant the pole to a depth of 6.5'.
  • The best time to install the pole is January through March.
  • Great Blue Herons nest in colonies, so multiple platforms can be installed in an area.
  • Choose a location where herons will be protected from human disturbance (approximately 300–600' from pedestrian or boat launch areas).