# Grey Heron (*Ardea cinerea*) The Grey Heron is a tall bird with long legs and a sharp beak. It loves to stand still by the water, waiting for fish to swim by so it can catch a tasty meal! - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Snaps:** 3 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Grey Heron](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ardea_cinerea_EM1A2714_%2827349354381%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: Bengt Nyman from Vaxholm, Sweden, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ardea_cinerea_EM1A2714_%2827349354381%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Grey Heron is a tall, slender bird with a grey back and wings, a white head and neck, and distinctive black stripes extending from its eyes. It has long, yellowish legs and a sharp, yellow bill. Its S-shaped neck often gives it a unique hunched posture. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Pelecaniformes - **Family:** Ardeidae - **Genus:** Ardea ## Interesting facts - Grey Herons can swivel their heads 180 degrees to spot danger or prey all around! - Grey Herons sometimes steal fish from otters or other birds, called kleptoparasitism! - Sometimes, they use bread crusts or insects as bait to lure fish closer! - Their harsh, croaking 'fraaank' call is often heard high above as they fly. ## Special abilities - **Stealth Stalker:** Grey Heron can stand motionless for ages to surprise fish, thanks to incredible patience and camouflage. - **Strike-Fast Neck:** Grey Heron has a uniquely S-shaped neck that allows a lightning-fast strike to catch prey. - **Feather Cleaner:** Grey Heron produces special powder-down feathers that help clean fish slime from its plumage. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 90-100 cm - **Wingspan:** 175-195 cm - **Weight:** 1-2.5 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-15 years - **Speed:** 50 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 3-5 - **Incubation:** 25-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding Grey Herons are expert hunters who mainly eat fish, but they also enjoy other small animals. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Amphibians, Small mammals, Insects, Small birds - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Common Carp](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-carp) (*Cyprinus carpio*) — Main prey species in many freshwater habitats. - **Hunts:** Common Frog (*Rana temporaria*) — Often catches frogs in shallow waters and wetlands. - **Eaten by:** [Red Fox](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-fox) (*Vulpes vulpes*) — Foxes may prey on heron eggs, chicks, or even juveniles in nests. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Piscivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/piscivorous): Piscivorous organisms are animals that primarily subsist on a diet of fish. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Keep a safe distance and watch quietly, so you don't scare the heron away. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Grey Heron? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Grey Heron? 90-100 cm ### What is Grey Heron's wingspan? 175-195 cm ### How much does Grey Heron weigh? 1-2.5 kg ### How long does Grey Heron live? 5-15 years ### How fast can Grey Heron move? 50 km/h ### What does Grey Heron eat? Grey Herons are expert hunters who mainly eat fish, but they also enjoy other small animals. ### Where is Grey Heron usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Fota Wildlife Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/fota-wildlife-park) — Municipal District of Cobh, IE · Zoo - [Zoologická zahrada Děčín - Pastýřská stěna](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/zoologick-zahrada-d-n-past-sk-st-na) — Ústí nad Labem Region, CZ · Zoo - [s’Albufera de Mallorca Natural Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/salbufera-de-mallorca-natural-park) — Illes Balears, ES · Park - [Bürgerpark (Bremen)](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/burgerpark-bremen) — Bremen, DE · Park - [Migliarino, San Rossore and Massaciuccoli Regional Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/migliarino-san-rossore-and-massaciuccoli-regional-park) — IT · Park - [Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/uckermaerkische-seen-nature-park) — Brandenburg, DE · Park [View all places to see Grey Heron](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/grey-heron) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Grey Heron: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/grey-heron)