The answer to whether or not blue herons are cranes depends on how the terms are defined. While blue herons and cranes share some similarities and are closely related, there are important differences between the two groups of birds that mean blue herons are typically not considered to be true cranes.
What is a blue heron?
Blue herons are a group of large wading birds found throughout much of North and Central America, as well as the Caribbean. There are a few different species of blue heron, including the great blue heron, little blue heron, tricolored heron, and reddish egret. They are tall, long-legged birds with long necks and pointed bills that feed mainly on fish, amphibians, and other small aquatic creatures.
Characteristics of blue herons
Some key characteristics of blue herons include:
- Size – They have long legs, necks, and bills and stand over 3 feet tall
- Coloration – Most species have some blue or purplish coloring, particularly during breeding season
- Habitat – Found along shorelines, marshes, rivers, and other wetland areas
- Diet – Feed mainly on fish, frogs, crustaceans, and aquatic insects
- Behavior – Typically solitary and patient hunters, standing motionless waiting to ambush prey
What is a crane?
Cranes comprise a family, Gruidae, of large, long-legged, long-necked birds in the order Gruiformes. There are 15 different species of cranes found throughout parts of Africa, Eurasia, and Australia. Some examples of crane species include the sandhill crane, Siberian crane, brolga, and sarus crane.
Characteristics of cranes
Some key characteristics of cranes include:
- Size – Often quite tall, some species stand over 5 feet
- Plumage – Grays, whites, blacks, and reddish colors; bare red or gray crowns
- Long legs and necks – Adapted for wading in shallow water
- Omnivorous diet – Feed on plants, small animals, fish, amphibians
- Elaborate, ritualized dancing
- Loud, trumpeting calls
Taxonomic classification differences
While blue herons and cranes share some superficial similarities, taxonomically they belong to two separate orders of birds:
- Blue herons belong to order Pelecaniformes, family Ardeidae
- Cranes belong to order Gruiformes, family Gruidae
Some key anatomical and evolutionary differences distinguish the groups as well. While blue herons and cranes both have long legs and necks adapted for wading, herons are related to other shorebirds like egrets, ibises, and spoonbills, while cranes are an ancient, distinct lineage of birds.
Differences between blue herons and cranes
Blue Herons | Cranes |
---|---|
Smooth, dagger-like bill | Short, stout bill |
Slimmer build | Bulkier build |
Solitary nesters | Nest in colonies |
Only vocalize with simple squawks | Make loud, trumpeting calls |
No elaborate dancing displays | Well-known for dancing displays |
Behavioral and habitat differences
In addition to anatomical differences, blue herons and cranes have somewhat distinct behaviors and preferred habitats:
- Blue herons are almost always found near water, whereas cranes may nest and feed in grasslands, agricultural fields, and wetlands.
- Herons are typically solitary, while cranes are more social, especially during breeding season.
- Cranes undertake long seasonal migrations, while most heron species are year-round residents.
- Cranes engage in more elaborate courtship displays, including dancing, posturing, and specialized vocalizations.
Blue heron behavior
Some typical blue heron behaviors include:
- Standing motionless along shorelines waiting to ambush prey
- Slow, stalking steps when hunting
- Stabbing prey with pointed bill
- Solitary nesting up in trees by water
- Male and female share parenting duties
Crane behavior
Some classic crane behaviors include:
- Developed social groups and family bonds
- Elaborate dancing and calling during breeding season
- Forming large migratory flocks
- Building large stick nests on ground near water
- Both parents closely raise young
Conclusion
While blue herons and cranes occupy similar ecological niches and have some behavioral and anatomical similarities as wading birds, important differences in their taxonomy, anatomy, habitats, and social behavior differentiate them. Most taxonomic classification systems place them in separate orders. Cranes also have distinctive traits like elaborate dancing displays that distinguish them from herons. Based on these differences, blue herons are not considered to be true cranes by ornithologists and field biologists. However, they remain closely related wading birds that are often associated with similar wetland habitats.