Herons and egrets

Homeowner, rental or HOA

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage herons and egrets from visiting yards by removing food sources that attract them, such as accessible fish and frogs in decorative ponds. Overhead netting or ropes can be used to make ponds less accessible for hunting.
• Minimize perches for herons and egrets by trimming larger horizontal tree limbs, particularly on dead trees, around your home. Use spike strips on branches if needed.

Around home

• Covering ponds with durable netting can protect fish and reduce attraction for foraging birds.
• When possible, maintain steep edges, fencing, or tall dense vegetation around water features that reduce heron and egret access to the water.
• Deepening the water depth around the edges of the pond or other water feature can reduce the ability of herons and egrets to hunt.
• Providing floating vegetation, like lily pads, or providing sunken pipes or tunnels for fish, can minimize herons and egrets eating fish.

Pets and livestock

• Herons and egrets generally avoid pets but may be attracted to outdoor fish, small amphibians, or backyard ponds. Protect fish and other high value aquatic animals by securing enclosures or using netting.
• Do not allow dogs to chase birds as it can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if this is a concern.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food sources, particularly fish and frogs in ponds, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Installing overhead lines or netting above ponds can prevent birds from accessing fish.
• If herons or egrets repeatedly visit a backyard pond, consider adding motion-activated sprinklers or visual deterrents like reflective tape or predator-eye balloons, to encourage them to move on. However, effectiveness may be temporary and other methods may need to be used.
• Blocking access to roosting or perching areas by trimming branches or using approved deterrents, such as class 3B lasers, can reduce bird activity. Ensure all deterrents comply with wildlife protection laws.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of herons and egrets other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured heron or egret or a fledgling that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Herons and egrets are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal is not allowed unless authorized under a valid federal depredation permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• If damage from herons or egrets is significant, contact USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297) for guidance on permit requirements.

Local government

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage herons and egrets from visiting specific areas by removing or minimizing food sources that attract them, such as fish and frogs in decorative ponds. Overhead netting or ropes can be used to make ponds less accessible for hunting.
• Minimize perches for herons and egrets by trimming larger horizontal tree limbs, particularly on dead trees, around public fishing areas and other water features. Use spike strips on branches if needed.

Your community

• Educate residents about preventing heron and egret access to ponds and other water features by using overhead netting and shoreline exclusion.
• Deepening the water depth around the edges of the pond or other water feature can reduce the ability of herons and egrets to hunt.
• Providing floating vegetation, like lily pads, or providing sunken pipes or tunnels for fish, can minimize herons and egrets eating fish.

Public spaces

• Install educational signage in parks discouraging feeding of wildlife, including herons and egrets.
• Eliminate or secure abandoned structures that could provide roosting.
• Trim large horizontal tree branches, particularly on dead trees, or install appropriate deterrents where birds may defecate and create sanitation issues.

Pets and livestock

• Inform residents that herons and egrets may prey on fish and other valuable animals in ponds and similar water features. Provide guidance on protective netting and shoreline exclusion.
• The public should not allow dogs to chase birds as it can lead to injury for both animals and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law. Keep dogs leashed or fenced if this is a concern.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Reducing access to food sources and roosting areas around water is the most effective way to prevent problems with herons and egrets.
• Noise deterrents, visual deterrents, or exclusionary netting may reduce conflicts; effectiveness varies.
• If a bird falls into a window well and cannot get out, place a rough board at an angle so the bird can escape.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of herons and egrets other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured heron or egret or a fledgling that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Herons and egrets are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal is not allowed unless authorized under a valid federal depredation permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• If damage from herons or egrets is significant, contact USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297) for guidance on permit requirements.

Business or school

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage herons and egrets from visiting specific areas by removing or minimizing food sources that attract them, such as fish and frogs in decorative ponds. Overhead netting or ropes can be used to make ponds less accessible for hunting.
• Minimize perches for herons and egrets by trimming larger horizontal tree limbs, particularly on dead trees, around fishing areas and other water features. Use spike strips on branches if needed.

Grounds

• Trim large horizontal tree branches, particularly on dead trees, or install appropriate deterrents where birds may defecate and create sanitation issues.
• Prevent heron and egret access to ponds and other water features by using overhead netting and shoreline exclusion, such as fencing or tall dense vegetation.
• Deepening the water depth around the edges of the pond or other water feature can reduce the ability of herons and egrets to hunt.
• Providing floating vegetation, like lily pads, or providing sunken pipes or tunnels for fish, can minimize herons and egrets eating fish.
• Install educational signage discouraging feeding of wildlife, including herons and egrets.
• Eliminate or secure abandoned structures that could provide roosting.

Pets and livestock

• Inform staff and visitors to keep dogs leashed and not allow dogs to chase birds as it can lead to injury for dogs and birds, and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.
• Herons and egrets generally avoid pets but may be attracted to outdoor fish, small amphibians, or backyard ponds. Protect fish and other high value aquatic animals by securing enclosures or using netting.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food sources, particularly fish and frogs in ponds, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Installing overhead lines or netting above ponds can prevent birds from accessing fish.
• If herons or egrets repeatedly visit a backyard pond, consider adding motion-activated sprinklers or visual deterrents like reflective tape or predator-eye balloons, to encourage them to move on. However, effectiveness may be temporary and other methods may need to be used.
• Blocking access to roosting or perching areas by trimming branches or using approved deterrents, such as class 3B lasers, can reduce bird activity. Ensure all deterrents comply with wildlife protection laws.
• If a bird falls into a window well and cannot get out, place a rough board at an angle so the bird can escape.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of herons and egrets other than for permitted research.
• If someone finds an injured heron or egret or a fledgling that they believe it’s mother is dead, they can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Herons and egrets are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal is not allowed unless authorized under a valid federal depredation permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• If damage from herons or egrets is significant, contact USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297) for guidance on permit requirements.

Agriculture

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage herons and egrets from aquaculture facilities or irrigation ditches by installing overhead netting or ropes spaced 3 feet apart.
• Minimize perches for herons and egrets by trimming larger horizontal tree limbs, particularly on dead trees, around focal areas like aquaculture facilities. Use spike strips on branches if needed.

Your farm or orchard

• Trim large horizontal tree branches, particularly on dead trees, or install appropriate deterrents where birds may defecate and create sanitation issues.
• Prevent heron and egret access to ponds and other water features by using overhead netting and shoreline exclusion, such as fencing or tall dense vegetation.
• Deepening the water depth around the edges of the pond or other water feature can reduce the ability of herons and egrets to hunt.
• Providing floating vegetation, like lily pads, or providing sunken pipes or tunnels for fish, can minimize herons and egrets eating fish.
• Eliminate or use perch deterrents on abandoned structures that could provide roosting.

Pets and livestock

• Herons and egrets generally avoid pets but are attracted to water bodies with fish, small amphibians, and insects. Protect fish and other high value animals by using overhead netting, ropes and other deterrents.
• Keep dogs leashed and not allow dogs to chase birds as it can lead to injury for dogs and birds, and is considered illegal harassment of wildlife under state law.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food sources, particularly fish and frogs in ponds, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts.
• Installing overhead lines or netting above ponds can stop birds flying into the water or shoreline to hunt.
• If herons or egrets repeatedly visit a backyard pond, consider adding motion-activated sprinklers or visual deterrents like reflective tape or predator-eye balloons, to encourage them to move on. However, effectiveness may be temporary and other methods may need to be used.
• Blocking access to roosting or perching areas by trimming branches or using approved deterrents, such as class 3B lasers, can reduce bird activity. Ensure all deterrents comply with wildlife protection laws.
• If a bird falls into a window well and cannot get out, place a rough board at an angle so the bird can escape.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of herons and egrets other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured heron or egret or a fledgling that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Herons and egrets are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal is not allowed unless authorized under a valid federal depredation permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• If damage from herons or egrets is significant, contact USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297) for guidance on permit requirements.

Airport

Prevent problems

Key strategies

• Discourage herons and egrets from using airport property by removing or minimizing food sources that attract them, such as fish and frogs in ponds and standing water. Overhead netting or ropes can be used to make water bodies less accessible for hunting.
• Minimize perches for herons and egrets by trimming larger horizontal tree limbs, particularly on dead trees, around ponds and other water features. Use spike strips on branches if needed.

Around buildings

• Prevent heron and egret access to ponds and other water features by using overhead netting and shoreline exclusion, such as fencing or tall dense vegetation.
• Deepening the water depth around the edges of the pond or other water feature can reduce the ability of herons and egrets to hunt.
• Providing floating vegetation, like lily pads, or providing sunken pipes or tunnels for fish, can minimize herons and egrets eating fish.
• If appropriate, install educational signage discouraging feeding of wildlife, including herons and egrets.

Airfields

• Trim large horizontal tree branches, particularly on dead trees, or install appropriate deterrents where birds may defecate and create sanitation issues.
• Maintain short vegetation and minimize standing water to reduce habitat for amphibians and fish that heron and egrets prey on.
• Reduce access to artificial ponds or drainage ditches using fencing or tall dense vegetation.

Solve a problem

Non-lethal methods

• Removing access to food sources, particularly fish and frogs in ponds, is the most effective way to reduce conflicts with herons and egrets.
• Installing overhead lines or netting above ponds can prevent birds from accessing fish and other prey.
• If herons or egrets repeatedly visit a pond or other area, consider adding motion-activated sprinklers or visual deterrents like reflective tape or predator-eye balloons, to encourage them to move on. However, effectiveness may be temporary and other methods may need to be used.
• Blocking access to roosting or perching areas by trimming branches or using approved deterrents, such as class 3B lasers, can reduce bird activity. Ensure all deterrents comply with aviation laws and wildlife protection laws.
• If a bird falls into a window well and cannot get out, place a rough board at an angle so the bird can escape.
• Michigan DNR does not authorize or conduct live capture and release of herons and egrets other than for permitted research.
• If you find an injured heron or egret or a fledgling that you believe it’s mother is dead, you can contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator before removing it from the wild. Only licensed wildlife rehabilitators may possess abandoned or injured wildlife.

Lethal methods

• Herons and egrets are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. Lethal removal is not allowed unless authorized under a valid federal depredation permit from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
• If damage from herons or egrets is significant, contact USDA Wildlife Services (866-487-3297) for guidance on permit requirements.