Herons hold significant meaning in many cultures around the world. Among Indigenous North west coast nations, herons are seen as symbols of patience and good luck. If a Native fisherman spots a heron it is a sign that he will have a successful fishing trip.
On the Pacific coast of British Columbia and Washington Blue Herons are a familiar sight. With their long legs, the adult heron stands about 1 meter tall and has a wingspan of 2 meters. They are one of the largest coastal birds, who live where land meets sea, rivers, or lakes.
While the Blue Heron can be found in most of Canada, it is a migratory bird and only has a year-round presence in British Columbia and parts of the Maritime provinces.
Blue Herons are masters of timing and patience. This is particularly evident during the feeding process. Blue Herons feed mostly along the seacoast, or in calm freshwater. While fish is its most common food, it also eats reptiles, frogs, rodents and other small birds. The heron typically stands motionless with its neck extended over the surface of the water. Only the head and eyes will move as it is waiting for the right moment to strike. When the prey comes into view, the heron’s head and beak are thrust into the water at lightning speed to snatch at, or spear its prey.
In Northwest coast art, Blue Herons often adorn the top of Kwakwaka’wakw masks and some members of the Haida Eagle clan have it as their crest figure. It is also depicted in plaque carvings and two dimensional art.
by Joe Wilson