Page 84 - Complete Birds of Britain and Europe (DK - RSPB)

BITTERNS AND HERONS
Order Ciconiiformes Family Ardeidae Species Ardea cinerea
Grey Heron pale grey long, narrow, white forehead
on head
black neck
plume
no crest
dagger-like,
withdrawn yellow, orange,
head spotted or pink bill (dull
foreneck except in spring)
black spots on
white foreneck
broad, strongly
arched wings
pale grey
body
JUVENILE
grey-black
wingtips
ADULT
IN FLIGHT
long legs
ADULT
FLIGHT: direct, on broad, strongly arched wings,
head withdrawn, feet trailing; also higher, or diving
down from height with aerobatic twists and turns.
sually moving slowly or standing quite
U still beside a pool or river, this large, pale
grey heron is unmistakable. It may, however, look
tall and slim with a long, erect neck, or round-shouldered and
hunched with its head and neck withdrawn into the shoulders; it
may also stand high in a treetop, or fly with surprising agility high
overhead. It is typically shy, but in towns becomes remarkably bold
and many now visit garden fish ponds on early-morning raids.
VOICE Short, harsh fraink; rattling and croaking sounds
at nest.
NESTING Large nest of
thick sticks in treetop (or
bush where no tree is
available); 4 or 5 eggs;
1 brood; January–May.
FEEDING Catches fish,
frogs, rats, and other prey
in its bill, usually after PERCHING
long, patient stalk before The Grey Heron may sometimes be found perched on a treetop, usually
sudden strike. in a hunched posture, with its head and neck drawn into the shoulders.
SIMILAR SPECIES OCCURRENCE
Frequents both freshwater and
PURPLE HERON saltwater habitats, from salt marsh
see p.83 longer and rocky coasts to floods and fish
bill
slimmer and ponds almost throughout Europe.
browner thin Some regularly visit garden ponds
neck or town lakes, especially in winter
SLOW, SILENT MOVER when much habitat is frozen.
This heron strides silently through
Seen in the UK
shallows or long vegetation. It
J F M A M JJ A S O N D
stands still for long spells.
Length 90–98cm (35–39in) Wingspan 1.75–1.95m (5 3 ⁄4 –6 1 ⁄2ft) Weight 1.6–2kg (3 1 ⁄2 –4 1 ⁄2lb)
Social Solitary/Small flocks Lifespan Up to 25 years Status Secure
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