About the Great Blue Heron
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) is a species of bird in the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns family (Ardeidae), within the order Pelecaniformes. This family contains 74 recognized species worldwide.
Use the eBird species code grbher3 when logging sightings in eBird or other citizen science platforms.
Taxonomy & Classification
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes |
| Family | Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns (Ardeidae) |
| Species | Ardea herodias |
| Species Codes | grbher3, GBHE, GBWH |
Frequently Asked Questions
What family does the Great Blue Heron belong to?
The Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias) belongs to the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns family (Ardeidae), in the order Pelecaniformes.
How can I identify the Great Blue Heron?
The Great Blue Heron is a member of the Herons, Egrets, and Bitterns family. Check field guides or upload a photo to our AI Bird Identifier for help.
Where can I report a Great Blue Heron sighting?
You can log sightings of Great Blue Heron on eBird (ebird.org) using species code grbher3, or on iNaturalist.