Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Grey Herons are easy to take for granted because they are so familiar, but they are far more elegant than they get credit for. I have photographed them in different parts of England, from clear early morning light in Rutland to drizzly conditions in Hertfordshire, and they seem to suit both. There is something very dependable about their shape and posture, but they never quite feel static. A good heron photograph usually comes from waiting for a small change rather than a dramatic one.
Description
The Grey Heron is a large, tall bird that stands up to one metre high, with a wingspan of nearly two metres. Adult birds have blue-grey feathers on their backs, a white head and neck, and a distinctive black line above the eye that stretches into long feathers on the head. They have a sharp, yellow beak. When flying, their wide, curved wings and neck pulled back into an S-shape help to tell them apart from cranes and storks. They are found all over the UK and live here all year round. They prefer shallow freshwater and coastal areas such as rivers, lakes, marshes, and estuaries. They are often seen standing very still at the water’s edge or moving slowly through shallow water while hunting for fish, frogs, and small mammals. Grey Herons build their nests in groups, usually in tall trees close to water.
Vital statistics
Body length
84 - 102 cm
Weight
1.5 - 2 kg
Wingspan
155 - 195 cm
- Fish70%
- Other Invertebrates15%
- Vertebrates10%
- Insects5%