The grey heron is a long-legged wading bird of the heron family, Ardeidae, native throughout temperate Europe and Asia, and also parts of Africa. It is resident in much of its range, but some populations from the more northern parts migrate southwards in autumn. A bird of wetland areas, it can be seen around lakes, rivers, ponds, marshes and on the sea coast. It feeds mostly on aquatic creatures which it catches after standing stationary beside or in the water, or stalking its prey through the shallows.
Region
Europe, Asia, and Africa
Typical Environment
Grey herons occupy a wide range of wetlands including lakes, rivers, canals, ponds, marshes, estuaries, mangroves, and sheltered coastlines. They prefer shallow waters with abundant fish but also forage in flooded fields and wet grasslands. In urban areas they frequent ornamental lakes and garden ponds. Breeding colonies are usually in tall trees near water but can be on cliffs or reedbeds where trees are scarce.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 3000 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Grey herons often hunt by standing motionless for long periods, then striking with lightning speed to spear prey with their dagger-like bill. They fly with slow, deep wingbeats and their necks retracted in an S-shape, a classic heron silhouette. Many colonies (heronries) are used year after year, sometimes for decades. They readily exploit urban parks and garden ponds where fish are available.
A. c. cinerea at Jamnagar, India
Grey heron and Caudipteryx skeletons
Head, with neck retracted
Grey heron eating a juvenile common moorhen
Grey heron flying with nesting material in Stockholm, Sweden
An adult feeding juveniles
A wild heron seeking food from a Humboldt penguin enclosure at Birdworld
East German postal stamp, 1959
Temperament
solitary and territorial
Flight Pattern
slow, deep wingbeats with neck retracted
Social Behavior
Feeds mostly alone but breeds colonially in large heronries, often in tall trees close to water. Pairs form during the breeding season and perform bill-clappering displays at the nest. Nests are bulky stick platforms reused and added to annually. Both sexes share incubation and chick-rearing duties.
Migratory Pattern
Partial migrant
Song Description
Generally quiet, but gives harsh, croaking calls, especially in flight or at colonies. At nesting sites it produces grating squawks and clattering sounds during displays.
Plumage
Mostly grey upperparts with paler grey wings, white head and neck with black streaking on the front, and long black plumes extending from the crown. Underparts are whitish to grey with some dark streaks on the neck. Feathers appear sleek with a slightly shaggy appearance on the breast during breeding.
Diet
Primarily fishes, but also amphibians, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and occasionally small mammals and birds. It hunts by standing still or walking slowly in shallow water before delivering a rapid spear-like strike. It may also sweep its bill or stir the substrate with its feet to flush prey. Larger prey are manipulated and swallowed head-first.
Preferred Environment
Shallow margins of freshwater and brackish bodies, including streams, rivers, lakes, ponds, rice fields, and tidal flats. It often forages from exposed banks, reed edges, and mudflats, and will use artificial habitats such as fish farms and urban ponds.
