Herons in Maryland: Where to See Them and How to Identify Them

Herons are most often seen in tidal marshes, swamps, and along slow-moving rivers. Top spots include Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge on the Eastern Shore, Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary in Anne Arundel County, and the Chesapeake Bay shoreline. The extensive marshes around Smith Island and Deal Island also hold good numbers. Check our Maryland wildlife guide for a full list of birding locations.

Herons can be seen year-round in Maryland, but spring (March to May) and fall (August to October) offer the highest activity during migration. Early morning and late afternoon are prime feeding times, so plan to arrive at sunrise or a few hours before sunset. Breeding season (April–July) is when you'll see the most striking plumage and nesting behavior. For more on timing, visit our heron behavior page.

Start with size and color. Great blue heron is tall (about 4 feet) with blue-gray body and a white face stripe. Green heron is much smaller (about 18 inches), dark greenish back, and chestnut neck. Herons fly with slow wingbeats and tuck their neck in an S-shape. Compare with egrets, which have black legs and yellow feet, and keep their necks extended in flight. For detailed id tips, see our Maryland heron page.

Egrets are the most common mix-up. Great egret is all white with a yellow bill and black legs. Snowy egret is smaller with a black bill and yellow feet. Cattle egret has a shorter, thicker neck and often forages in fields. Bitterns are smaller, streaky brown, and hide in reeds. Sandhill cranes are larger and have a red crown, but they're rare in Maryland. Knowing these differences helps narrow down your sighting. Browse our bird wall art for reference prints.

Herons are patient hunters that eat fish (killifish, perch), frogs, crayfish, and small snakes. Great blue herons will also take voles and even small birds. They stand motionless or stalk slowly before striking with their bill. Green herons use bait (like twigs or insects) to lure fish. Observing feeding behavior is a great way to confirm identification.