Great Blue Heron

Great Blue Heron

Ardea herodias

Family: Ardeidae

This is a rare visitor to the Monument. The Great Blue Heron is very water dependent. Its habitat is the shallow waters of marshes, ponds, lakes and tidal flats, even backyard pools and ponds. It wades through the shallows looking primarily for fish, but it also eats a variety of foods from small mammals to insects to other birds. The habitat of the Monument is not suited to Great Blue Herons. They live in the Black Hills but mostly around the artificially created lakes or seasonal marshes found throughout the Black Hills. They can also be spotted raiding backyard ponds that are stocked with fish.

Last updated: April 10, 2015

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

11149 U.S. Hwy. 16
Building B12

Custer, SD 57730

Phone:

605 673-8300
The main phone line connects visitors with staff at the visitor center. Throughout the year, the phone line is monitored by staff on a daily basis, excluding holidays and days with limited visitor services. Please be advised that after-hours messages are not taken on the system; visitors are encouraged to call the visitor center during normal operations and speak with a park ranger for assistance.

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