ArdeidaeArdea

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

90–98 cmVery Large
Beak
—
Feet
—
Crest
Has a crest

Resident. passage migrant and winter visitor. Widespread; unrecorded in parts of the northwest a ndnortheast. A large, mainly grey heron, lacking any brown or rufous in its plumage. in flight, black flight feathers contrast with grey upperwing - and underwing - coverts. and shows a prominent white leading edge to wing when head-on. Adult has yellow bill, whitish head and neck with black head plumes, and black patches on belly. in breeding season, has whitish scapular plumes and bill and legs become orange or reddish. Immature is duller than adult, with grey crown, reduced black ' crest', greyer neck, less pronounced black patches on sides of belly, and duller bill and legs. Juvenile as dark grey cap with slight crest, dirty grey neck and breast, lacks black patches on belly sides, lacks plumes, and has dark legs A typical diurnal heron. Usually feeds singly; occasionally gathers in loose parties at good feeding areas. Roosts communally in winter. Prefers to hunt in the open unlike Purple Heron. Inland and coastal waters: lakes. marshes. estuaries, mangroves, tidal creeks, rocky offshore islands and coral reefs.

Colour

BlackGreyWhiteBrown
Average size
94 cm
Habitat
Prefers to hunt in the open unlike Purple Heron. Inland and coastal waters: lakes. marshes. estuaries, mangroves, tidal creeks, rocky offshore islands and coral reefs.
Behaviour
Resident. passage migrant and winter visitor. Widespread, unrecorded in parts of the northwest a ndnortheast., as dark grey cap with slight crest, dirty grey neck and breast, lacks black patches on belly sides, lacks plumes, and has dark legs A typical diurnal heron. Usually feeds singly, occasionally gathers in loose parties at good feeding areas. Roosts communally in winter.

About this bird

Resident. passage migrant and winter visitor. Widespread; unrecorded in parts of the northwest a ndnortheast. A large, mainly grey heron, lacking any brown or rufous in its plumage. in flight, black flight feathers contrast with grey upperwing - and underwing - coverts. and shows a prominent white leading edge to wing when head-on. Adult has yellow bill, whitish head and neck with black head plumes, and black patches on belly. in breeding season, has whitish scapular plumes and bill and legs become orange or reddish. Immature is duller than adult, with grey crown, reduced black ' crest', greyer neck, less pronounced black patches on sides of belly, and duller bill and legs. Juvenile as dark grey cap with slight crest, dirty grey neck and breast, lacks black patches on belly sides, lacks plumes, and has dark legs A typical diurnal heron. Usually feeds singly; occasionally gathers in loose parties at good feeding areas. Roosts communally in winter. Prefers to hunt in the open unlike Purple Heron. Inland and coastal waters: lakes. marshes. estuaries, mangroves, tidal creeks, rocky offshore islands and coral reefs.

Compare size with other birds

Every bird sits between two neighbours — bigger than one, smaller than the other. The sentences below are generated live from the database.

Open full comparison

Grey Heron is bigger than Darter but smaller than Black Stork.