Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

This long-legged wader stands tall in wetlands worldwide, its patient fishing technique a masterclass in avian precision.

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Visual Identification

Appearance

The Grey Heron is a tall, unmistakable wading bird with a long S-shaped neck and predominantly grey plumage, a white head and neck with a black eyebrow stripe, and a long, dagger-like yellow bill. Its body is adorned with elongated black feathers on the crown and breast.

Females appear similar to males but average smaller. Adults and juveniles share similar colouration, though young birds may appear slightly duller. During the breeding season, adults develop longer plumes on their heads and breasts.

Size

Length

90cm to 98cm

Wingspan

175cm to 195cm

Weight

1.02kg to 2.073kg

Colours

Males and females have similar plumage

Primary Colour

Grey White

Secondary Colour

Black

Beak Colour

Yellow Orange

Leg Colour

Yellow Green

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Grey Heron can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Grey Heron can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Grey Heron can be found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Grey Heron is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

Distribution

Grey Herons inhabit a wide range of wetland habitats, including rivers, lakes, estuaries, and coastal areas. They are found across much of Europe, Asia, and parts of Africa.

In the UK, they are widespread residents, while in northern regions, some populations migrate south for winter. They have adapted well to urban environments and are often seen in city parks with suitable water bodies.

Elevation Range

Up to 4,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Grey Heron. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons