Great Blue Heron Calls (Learn 2 common sounds)

If you have doubted that birds today are related to dinosaurs, then be prepared to change your mind! Not only do Great Blue Herons look like prehistoric creatures, but the calls they make could be straight out of Jurassic Park. 🙂

common herons and egrets

One summer evening, I was enjoying my back porch when I heard what sounded like a pterodactyl flying over. But it wasn’t any escaped dinosaurs, it was a Great Blue Heron heading home for the night.

Great Blue Heron CALLS:

  • Make sure to press PLAY on the audio files below. 🙂

Sound #1: Landing Call

Most vocal at their breeding grounds, Great Blue Herons like to call out a greeting upon their arrival. This landing call is described as a squawking “roh-roh-roh.” Typically Great Blue Heron breeding grounds are kept secret to reduce human disturbance, but if you are lucky enough to find one, keep watch to see this greeting in person.


Sound #2: Disturbance Call

Seeing as how a Great Blue Heron can really blend into its surroundings, it can be easy to flush this large bird by accident. If you do flush them, they will call out with a clucking “go-go-go” call that may increase in frequency depending on the danger.

When searching for Great Blue Herons, keep in mind that they are usually found silently stalking their prey in the shallow waters. It isn’t common to hear their dinosaur calls unless you surprise them.


Have you heard the calls and sounds of a Great Blue Heron before?

If so, please let us know below!

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