Herons rest during the day by folding up their neck and sitting quietly in a sheltered spot. At night, many herons demonstrate a bird behavior that might surprise you: sleeping in trees. Many herons sleep in trees at night, to get them off the ground where land dwelling predators might catch them off guard.

Where do herons nest at night?

Nest Placement

The male chooses a nest site in a tree or in cattails—usually in a habitat safe from predators such as on an island, in a swamp, or over water—and then advertises for a female. Black-crowned Night-Herons nest colonially, often with a dozen nests in a single tree.

Where do blue herons spend the winter?

Great Blue Herons generally move away from the northern edge of their breeding range in winter, with some flying as far south as the Caribbean. Populations in the Pacific Northwest and south Florida are present year-round.