BIRD FAMILY
Herons, Egrets and Bitterns

Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea

A: Bloureier
Ss: Kokolofitwe ya putswa
Z: unokilonkojwayelekile

SIZE
100 cm (VL)

HABITAT
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.

SPECIES 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.