Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Wetlands. Grey wings and back. Grey-white body, black band on head; yellow bill and legs.

Bitterns, Egrets, Herons

Not Endemic

Description

Common resident. At rest, appearance of adult differs from that of [Black-headed Heron]in the white crown above a broad black band that extends from forehead to nape; head and neck otherwise white. Bill and legs yellow (reddish when breeding). In flight, shows entirely grey underwings.Immature is much paler than adult and immature of [Black-headed Heron], also differing in having yellow (not pale grey) bill and legs. Solitary, feeding in the shallows of quiet dams, pans, rivers, lagoons and estuaries. May sometimes forage in coastal rock pools. Stands motionless for long periods or creeps forward stealthily in a crouched attitude.

Quick Facts

Bird Family

Water-associated birds with long bills and necks and long legs. When breeding, many species have long, filamentous plumes on their back or lower breast (or both), while others have more or less permanent long plumes on their napes. In flight, they tuck their heads into their shoulders, thus differing from storks, ibises and cranes. They seldom soar. Many herons are solitary in habit and secretive; others are gregarious and seen more frequently. Most perch in trees and nest in trees or reeds, or even on the ground. All have harsh, squawking voices heard mostly when flushed. Four comparative silhouettes represent (a): Dwarf Bittern; (b): Squacco Heron; (c): Little Egret; and (d): Grey Heron.