All species
resident
Least ConcernHerons
Grey Heron
A tall, elegant predator of wetlands, instantly recognisable by its long neck and dagger-like bill. Grey herons are patient hunters and nest in noisy heronries.
Ardea cinerea
Lakes Rivers Wetlands Coastal
Size
90-100 cm
Wingspan
155-175 cm
Weight
1-2 kg
Lifespan
5 years
Diet
Fish, amphibians, small mammals and insects; waits motionless at the water's edge.
Song & Call
A harsh, croaking 'fraank' call in flight and at the nest.
Tap play to listen0:00
Speed
Visualizer
Recording by Lynsey Ireland · CC BY-SA 4.0 · via Wikimedia Commons
How to identify
- Tall grey body
- Long S-shaped neck
- Long yellow-orange bill
Conservation
Least Concern
Stable; protected by law and increasingly seen in urban parks.
