The Great Blue Heron is the largest heron in Canada, with adults standing over 1 m high with their necks outstretched and weighing in at around 2.5 kg. Its long limbs dictate the heron’s movements: it flies with deep, slow wing beats, and on land, or in the water, it walks erect with long strides. These majestic birds live long lives, some as long as 17 years.
Many Indigenous peoples in North America view the heron as a symbol of patience and good luck. This belief takes root in the Northwest Coast, where people believe that if fishermen spot a heron, it means good luck is with them, and they will have a successful fishing trip.