Herons are an awe inspiringly beautiful bird.

Large and graceful, solitary and absolutely magnificent to behold. And, dreaded by anyone who has ever been robbed of an expensive fish by one. Herons stand about 2 feet tall and are talented and dedicated fishermen.

They feed on fish,and will land in the shallows of your pond and easily pick out the first fish that happens to come in front of him, and swallow it whole in a few gulps. They aren't selective, but brightly colored koi do stand out a bit more, so it's highly likely that might lose your favorite fish if one visits your pond. Fish over a foot long are fairly safe, as are the very small ones which a Great Blue Heron will not likely be bothered with. It is said that a heron statue will ward off a real heron, because they are solitary creatures and do not willingly share their territories.

If a heron begins to frequent your pond and a statue doesn't seem to work, about the only thing you can do is cover your pond with a net. Maybe try a dozen statues. Do not even think about killing a heron. They are a protected species.